Kota kinabalu: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has urged federal and state leaders to work with him to elevate Malaysia into a great nation on the global stage. He said the government is prioritising economic strength to ensure Malaysia commands respect internationally, not only for its security but also for its policies.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anwar stated, ‘My focus is to ensure the success of this country as a great nation with economic strength. This is crucial. Fundamentally, we are a peaceful country that maintains good relations with all nations.’ He acknowledged criticisms for being too close to China or the United States but emphasized that his priority is Malaysia’s growth and standing, which requires maintaining friendships with all.

Anwar was speaking at the Prime Minister’s meet-and-greet session with the Sabah industry associations. Also present were Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, and Minister of Communications Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.

He highlighted that the recent 47th ASEAN Summit showcased Malaysia’s ability to unite 11 ASEAN member states and major global economic powers such as the United States and China. This demonstrated Malaysia’s capacity to undertake a feat few nations could achieve.

Anwar stressed the importance of peace and stability for business growth, urging Malaysians to embrace these values to fully benefit from national progress. He warned that political disputes at either the federal or state level could significantly harm the nation and its people.

He called for cooperation from Sabah’s leadership with the federal government to ensure the state’s economic development is inclusive and effective. Anwar emphasized the need to move away from racial politics or state-federal disputes and focus on strengthening the economy for the people’s benefit.

Anwar concluded by urging all leaders to represent Sabah’s aspirations and focus on economic progress, adding that unity between federal and state governments, along with political stability, is crucial for driving national growth and prosperity. He reminded that business and investment cannot thrive without peace and strong national understanding.