The Prime Minister, speaking before a distinguished gathering of the Sangha, Buddhist leaders, and civil society members, began by expressing his gratitude to the Malaysian Buddhist Consultative Council for the invitation. He noted that despite a tight schedule, he had rushed from an earlier event in Gombak “not only to honour this gathering, but also to honour the Buddhist community throughout the country, their religious practice, and the celebration of Wesak Day today.”


Unity in Diversity: A Founding Promise

PM Anwar reminded the audience that Malaysia was born accepting diversity. “From the very beginning, this country, under Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, established the national motto: Bersekutu Bertambah Mutu - Unity in Diversity,” he said. While acknowledging that Islam is the religion of the Federation and the Malay-Bumiputera community the majority, he stressed that “from the start, we accepted the reality of diversity - we respect and honour it.” He described the MADANI vision as a continuation of the founding fathers’ agenda, not a departure from it.


Values Over Expediency

Distinguishing Malaysia’s approach from much of the developed world, the Prime Minister said that while other nations focus solely on digitalisation, technology, and innovation, Malaysia emphasises values, ethics, and morality rooted in religious faith. “These have been abandoned by much of Western thought,” he observed, citing Alexis de Tocqueville’s concept of habits of the heart. “What is practiced now is what is politically expedient - not necessarily values or ethics,” he lamented, adding that he was “very encouraged when religious leaders like those present today want to participate and continue to engage.”


A Disease of the Heart

In remarks that resonated deeply with Buddhist teachings, PM Anwar spoke of “a disease of the heart” that allows people to ignore suffering and slaughter. “While striving for development and change, we must ensure that we remain very human,” he urged, calling for humanitarian values of respect and dignity to be restored to national discourse.


Bridging Buddhist-Muslim Understanding

Addressing interfaith tensions directly, the Prime Minister said: “You can’t blame Buddhists for sometimes having a negative outlook towards Islam, or many Muslims who only compare or understand Buddhism from the yellow robes - nothing else. It is a lack of understanding.” He condemned the rancorous exchanges on social media and in the political arena as “just fanning racial and religious sentiments - it’s just hatred.” Declaring that “no religion teaches that,” he pointed to the Islamic greetings of peace (Assalamualaikum) and the Quranic verses on compassion (Ar-Rahman, Ar-Rahim), asking: “How is it that there is no Metta, no Rahman? Only quarrelling and opposition?”


Metta, Sila, Karuna, Prajna as National Pillars

In an unique moment that reflects Malaysian religious diversity, the Prime Minister wove Buddhist ethical terminology into his vision for the nation. “According to our religious principles, what do we begin with? Metta - loving-kindness,” he said. He noted that Sila (ethical conduct) has even become part of the Malay lexicon through Pancasila, and called for Karuna (compassion) and Prajna (wisdom) to be brought to life in governance. “If a nation does not take care, it will lose that wisdom,” he warned. “Without Sila, without Karuna, if it does not radiate from the heart - am I right?”


Acknowledging Past Flaws and Corruption

In a candid admission of past governance failures, the Prime Minister acknowledged “tens of billions of ringgit in shares lost, so much corruption by leaders - not only Malays, certainly, but Chinese and Indians too.” He called for the humility to acknowledge societal flaws: “endemic corruption, abuse of power, racial discord, religious bigotry, enmity - which runs contrary to what our religions preach.”




Inclusive Aid as One Malaysian Family

While affirming his support for Bumiputera programmes, PM Anwar made a passionate plea for inclusive national aid. “While we want to help our Malay children, our Bumiputera children - can’t we also think of all our children who are struggling, who are poor, who need help - and help them together as one big Malaysian family?” he asked, adding that after nearly 70 years of independence, “can’t our national discourse shift from dividing to loving - to MADANI, to Ihsan (compassion), to respect, to humanity?”


Tyranny of the Minority

In a striking turn of phrase, the Prime Minister described the current political climate as “the tyranny of the minority - the oppression, the cruelty of a small group forcing itself upon the majority.” He urged the silent majority - “whether ethnic Chinese, Indian, Iban, Kadazan, or Malay Bumiputera” - to speak from their conscience. “The time has come for the majority to speak from their conscience to save our country and advance everyone,” he declared.


Inherent Human Goodness Across All Races

Drawing from a lifetime of cross-cultural friendship, PM Anwar shared that he grew up knowing Muslim and Buddhist friends. “I see, from a humanitarian perspective, there are good people with good hearts… just as there are good Muslims and Muslims who are not good; good Chinese or Buddhists and those who are not good; those who are clean and bring progress, and those who are corrupt and evil.” He emphasised that goodness and its absence transcend ethnic and religious lines - a direct refutation of racial stereotyping.


Inner Transformation Needed

The Prime Minister urged religious leaders to continue educating their communities to plant “the spirit of change within themselves and within their communities.” Without such inner transformation, he warned, “no matter what we do” externally will fail to heal the nation.


Resilience Against the Odds

Reflecting on Malaysia’s survival as a multi-racial, multi-religious nation - from independence in 1957, the formation of Malaysia in 1963, the 1969 riots, and decades of predictions of failure - the Prime Minister thanked Malaysians and previous leaders for their resolve. “Many countries, many political observers have given up hope on Malaysia. ‘Impossible for a multi-racial, multi-religious country to survive,’ they said. But Malaysia has proven otherwise.”


Continued Government Support for Wesak

In closing, PM Anwar pledged that the government would ensure continued respect, recognition, and support for Wesak Day celebrations for years to come. “On behalf of the government… events like this, I have no problem. We will ensure that Malaysia will continue to give respect and support to make Wesak Day a success for the years to come.”

He ended with a heartfelt apology for raising his voice, explaining that he spoke from the heart out of respect for the venerable chief monks present. “I speak from the heart,” he said. “It is time that we Malaysians decide: enough of this politics of hate and discord… Let the majority take the mandate and lead from the dictate of your hearts.”

The event concluded with a silent blessing led by the Sangha - a quiet reaffirmation that, as the Prime Minister had urged, the way forward for Malaysia lies not in shouting, but in the ancient habits of the heart.