Kuala lumpur: The country must remain vigilant and be protected from any threats posed by extremist ideologies based on race and religion that could lead to division, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said today.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anwar highlighted the growing prevalence of fascism, racism, and Islamophobia globally, particularly in Western countries. He noted that the rise of such ideologies should not be taken lightly as they are also spreading among educated segments of society. Anwar emphasized the strong resurgence of fascist and racist ideologies in Europe and America, warning against the spread of hatred towards minorities and hostility towards other races, even among the intelligent and educated.

He expressed concern that such sentiments and extremist views are often propagated without a foundation of knowledge or rational thinking. Anwar acknowledged the difficulty in confronting these threats but stressed the necessity of facing the challenge to ensure the continuous preservation of peace in the country.

The prime minister underscored that peace and stability are fundamental to national development and economic prosperity, crucial for safeguarding the well-being of the people. He stated that a peaceful and stable country allows for a focus on national development and other priorities.

Anwar also pointed out the link between political stability and the country's ability to establish strong economic foundations and policies to attract foreign investment. He emphasized the need to correct policies to attract foreign investors and to train young people to acquire new skills, urging careful consideration of these matters.