We need to face issues, differences, and overcome them together, says Anwar

He stressed the need to work together to overcome such obstacles and that issues revolving around unity are not new in a multiracial country like Malaysia.

“We need to do so as a united community. The major challenge, of course, is national unity, overcoming racial divide and racism.

“That is why I have always emphasised the need to work together,” he told reporters when attending the Chinese New Year open house at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall, here.

Also present were federal territories minister Hannah Yeoh, science, technology and innovation minister Chang Lih Kang, tourism, arts and culture minister Tiong King Sing, and the Chinese ambassador to Malaysia, Ouyang Yujing.

Anwar said that cooperation among the country’s multiracial communities has already borne fruit, with economic indicators reflecting Malaysia’s progress.

“Which is why my government needs to be firm when it comes to certain issues to safeguard the interests of Malaysia’s multiracial communities,” he added.

Anwar said such an approach was crucial as no nation could thrive if its people were in conflict and intolerance was allowed to flourish.