Kuala lumpur: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called on all parties to reject a 'culture of contentment' to ensure Malaysia continues to move forward with greater resolve and speed. He said the country could not afford to remain complacent or cling to outdated practices, warning that a culture of being satisfied with the status quo could ultimately weaken the nation.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anwar warned that a country can become weak and fall behind if it cultivates a sense of contentment. He highlighted instances where agencies or companies incur significant losses, yet are met with complacency. "Sometimes an agency or company incurs losses of RM10 billion or RM12 billion, yet we still say, 'It's okay, nothing to worry about. it's normal.' We cannot allow this. This culture will not make us comfortable; it will lead to our downfall," he emphasized during the launch of Telekom Malaysia Bhd's (TM) 80th anniversary celebrations.
The event was attended by prominent figures including Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil, Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) chairman, TM chairman, TM Group CEO, and Bernama Chief Executive Officer were also present.
Anwar stressed the importance of exposing the younger generation to new knowledge and modern technology disciplines. He urged the nation to step into a new era that goes beyond previous imaginations or anticipations. "If this country wants to continue advancing, remain sovereign, independent, and prosperous, it must step into a new era that goes beyond what we have previously imagined or anticipated," he stated.
The Prime Minister commended Telekom Malaysia for prioritizing employee welfare alongside profitability, emphasizing the company's regional reputation. "We want it to be known not merely for its imposing buildings, financial results, or technological advances, but also as a company that is caring and attentive to the welfare of its employees and the communities around it," he added.
Anwar also noted the preparedness of TM and Multimedia University to embrace developments in multimedia and artificial intelligence, highlighting the need for local institutions to stay current. He advocated for a national focus on striving for excellence across all fields, beyond mere inclusivity.
Furthermore, Anwar encouraged TM to expand its focus beyond telecommunications and into strategic areas like cybersecurity and future technologies. The establishment of the TM Cyber Defence Centre was cited as a crucial step towards strengthening Malaysia's cybersecurity capabilities, with emerging technologies such as quantum computing deserving increased attention.