KUALA LUMPUR, JUNE 1 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today expressed his deepest gratitude to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim, for His Majesty’s patronage and wisdom in overseeing the country based on the principles of Constitutional Monarchy and Parliamentary Democracy.
Anwar said that under the patronage of His Majesty, the MADANI Government continues to move forward with full dedication and confidence in carrying out its responsibilities to govern the country based on a Constitutional Monarchy and Parliamentary Democracy.
“The MADANI government is standing firm and strong with the loyalty and unity of the people, who are generally nurtured with the spirit and determination to build the country despite facing storms and racist attitudes.
“Such is the wisdom that we inherited from our ancestors and freedom fighters. Therefore, the sacred consensus of the country has manifested the Constitution which provides a system that justifies the presence of the monarchy as the guardian of the Islamic religion and guarantees justice and equality for the people,” he said.
The Prime Minister said this while delivering his speech at the 2026 Federal Awards, Stars and Medals Presentation Ceremony in conjunction with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s Official Birthday Celebration at Istana Negara, here.
Also departing was the Queen Mother, Raja Zarith Sofiah.
Anwar said the government would continue efforts to mature the democratic process and strengthen the rule of law (following the law and regulations), in line with Sultan Ibrahim’s emphasis on the importance of orderly governance and combating the accumulation of wealth in the hands of a small group.
“The government is determined to implement equitable policies, ensuring distribution to all states and regions, especially the poor and marginalized,” he said.
Touching on the uncertainties of the world including global economic pressures, climate change, the explosion of artificial intelligence (AI) technology as well as the increasingly complex regional geopolitical dynamics, he said the government continues to implement various efforts to ensure national stability and reduce the burden on the people.
“Therefore, the challenge of steering the nation’s ship is to be wiser in navigating the crisis by establishing policies and efforts that guarantee stability and reduce the burden on the people.”
“Among the initiatives rolled out include prudent austerity measures, targeting of RON95 fuel subsidies and Budi MADANI,” said the Prime Minister.
He said targeted assistance programmes continue to be refined, in addition to strengthening the social safety net and efforts to curb the cost of living being implemented prudently to ensure the people’s lives are more stable and prosperous.
Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, said the country’s economic performance continued to record convincing growth through increased investment and a low unemployment rate, thus strengthening the confidence of international investors despite facing global challenges.
“Fiscal reforms implemented prudently, the empowerment of small and medium enterprises, and the digital transformation agenda open up space and quality job opportunities, especially for the younger generation,” he said.
Concluding his speech, Anwar expressed his gratitude for the rule of Sultan Ibrahim, who was described as a symbol of the country’s unity and nobility.
The Prime Minister also prayed that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the Raja Permaisuri Agong and the entire Royal Family would continue to be blessed with blessings, prosperity and health and would continue to rule with full sovereignty, wisdom and greatness.
“All the people will continue to express their unwavering loyalty to His Majesty, and strengthen their resolve and joint efforts for the progress and prosperity of our beloved homeland,” he said.
The conferment ceremony was the third time Sultan Ibrahim had performed it since His Majesty was installed as Yang di-Pertuan Agong on July 20, 2024.
— BERNAMA
