prime-ministers-of-malaysia

"My view is that this Government should move forward, but in order to move forward, there is a need for very serious thinking by the leadership on the situation in the country."

"As a Malay, I am concerned about the position of the Malays, not that they should be dominating but they should have a strong presence in running the country."

"I am Malay first! I am a Malay first, I want to say that. But being Malay does not mean you are not a Malaysian. .... How can I say I am Malaysian first and not Malay second? All the Malays will shun me you're not proper!"

"We are race-based but we are not racist."

"Yes, I have expressed that because it is undemocratic. Some smart aleck came up with the idea that we should impose a certain quota system that you can only contest if you get a certain number of nominations. Why do you need a certain quota imposed on them? You have to cross the bar before you can exercise your right. That, for me, is undemocratic."

"I have to speak out because I am very much a part of the party hierarchy. And I have received tremendous response from the grassroots who feel that I am saying something right."

"We are not perfect, but we are doing the best we can to pull through this crisis together, as one nation. God willing, we will come out stronger when this crisis ends and the dust settles."

"The (Melaka election) SOPs limited campaigning. An informed choice should have been more democratic in spirit."

"We do not defend those who take bribes and we do not condone that the authorities are being used as a political weapon. It appears to be the case with the MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission). If you switch support, investigations will be postponed or thrown out, if not, the harassment continues."

"Some people keep saying Anwar has failed, failed, failed. Hey, listen here. If you want me to be successful by becoming corrupt, find a new (party) president then."

"The people of Malaysia deserve leadership which can navigate effectively during these turbulent times (COVID-19 pandemic). Instead we have an unstable government whose inability to handle the crisis is driving the country towards an economic recession and rising racial tension."

"I haven't failed to be prime minister, it just hasn’t happened yet. I have to accept the fact that I am still the Pakatan Harapan's chosen candidate to be prime minister and if Malaysians support me for the post, I will continue to protect the people, especially those who need it the most, God-willing. I know those with billions of Ringgit do not really agree with me. They are afraid of me. I think that the people are more understanding and are more comfortable with me as prime minister."

"Referring to the flooding that occurred in the (Gunung Jerai) area earlier, the ministry should conduct a thorough investigation into whether there is any forest encroachment activity there."

"You must understand that changes have to happen, but not with our uncompromising attitude. It can happen only when we are being wise, being intelligent and by attracting support from every quarter."

"We talk of poverty and inequality, but in crafting an economic programme or policy for the future for this country, we must ensure no community, no region should be neglected."

"Most of Malaysia does not believe that I will get a fair trial or a decision based on the facts of the law. But I want to show young people that (my conviction) is a small price to pay in the struggle for freedom and justice."

"Of course it's not five years because he (Mahathir Mohamad)'s made it very clear they would not exceed two years. But it's important to allow him to govern effectively because we are in very difficult and trying times."

"The number of 70 ministers, which we had previously will be cut by half, their salaries will be cut by half too. The same goes with the prime minister's pay. If you want to be a minister under my cabinet, you need to accept this condition. This is the first step we will take to convince the people."

"Thank God justice has prevailed I have been vindicated."

"Just because they are putting me in prison now I can’t announce my retirement. If I retired during the Federal courts deliberation then they would say it is a matter of conceding defeat. I have to then declare that I will fight."

"We must together chart a new way forward to save our beloved nation."

"The most significant lesson one can learn from prison life is the value of freedom. When you are incarcerated you realise what is the meaning and significance of freedom. No one, not Anwar, or ... anyone must be allowed to undergo the same travesty that has befallen any individual. I happened to be known, I happened to be supported by many people. But we must stop this once and for all, and it is our duty, and our duty particularly in Pakatan Harapan to end this."

"Our economy is in a dire state, hence we need to re-focus the economy. We cannot depend on those who have been abusing power and enriching themselves to champion the common cause of the people. The plight of the workers, the farmers and fishermen, they need to be protected."

"I want to stress a matter that we shouldn't take lightly — are these numbers (Malaysia's daily COVID-19 cases) real? If you compare to countries with a similar population size — Australia, Malaysia, Canada — our testing capacity is too low. We want to know the total infections, which is connected to the total tests done. We test 10,000 people in a cluster, we'll get 1,000 (cases). If we test 100, we may get one. So, in order to safeguard public safety, testing capacity must increase."

"Firstly, Sabah's healthcare system, which is already under-funded, under-staffed, and under resourced is now inundated and overwhelmed by the (COVID-19) epidemic. MOH (Ministry of Health) has been diverting resources to Sabah but the ministry cannot do this alone. This effort needs political support from strong leadership and the involvement of NADMA (National Disaster Management Agency) and other ministries to mobilize adequate medical teams and equipment, improve logistics and provide wider reach of aid."

"That particular minister (Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz) has said there is already RM3 billion (to purchase COVID-19 vaccines). There is no record in the ministry, there is no record in the budget, RM 3 billion. I don't know from where. Is it that it is being hidden so that a deficit is not seen?"

"We are not going to compromise on the principles, the policies, and the values that we have adopted this far."

"Now that we have established the facts, we leave it to the Agong (King) to decide what is best to save this country from the present crisis."

"Our Cabinet is one of the biggest in the world with 69 ministers and deputy ministers. I think it's important that ministers and their deputies should at least be present to listen to the opposition leader's debate. This is part of transforming Parliament, a basic code of ethics, yet it was not complied with. This morning, I feel sad. When the opposition leader is speaking, there are only five individuals from the government bloc. Where have the other 60 over ministers and deputy ministers gone?"

"I have also made it clear to those who are preparing an office for the opposition leader in Parliament House that they should not make any renovations and not be granted additional allocations for it."

"Pakatan Harapan will fully implement the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and devolve certain powers to Sabah and Sarawak should it come into power after GE15 (15th general election)."

"I affirm that Indonesia is a true friend of Malaysia and I hope that trade and business relations, investment, culture and labor issues can be improved. The friendship between the two (nations) must be strengthened."

"Just received the sad news from Kuala Lumpur this morning that the mother of Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Mariah Khamis passed away this morning. I apologize to the leadership and supporters of Pakatan Harapan Sarawak that the campaigning trip to Miri and Kuching scheduled today had to be cancelled. We shall meet at another time."

"The seat distribution among PH (Pakatan Harapan) is already completed but we are negotiating with other electoral pacts such as Muda, PSM (Parti Socialis Malaysia) and others. But seat allocations for all parties under the PH umbrella especially in Peninsular Malaysia, DAP (Democratic Action party), Amanah and PKR (People's Justice Party), have been completed."

"I have to give credit to the new prime minister for not interfering with the judiciary. I appeal to Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi to make the necessary reforms."

"In stating the need for a federal system, distribution of power is a must in the constitution of the country that is considered a federation. This is not a strange issue for Sabah, Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia."

"Give Pakatan Harapan a chance to set up a clean and authoritative government. The mandate you give is a responsibility for us to bring drastic changes to the country."

"Please! For goodness sake, for the sake of our children and our future, stop this rot (corruption). Stop this nonsense and it must begin on the 19th of November (2022, on the election day)."

"We consider the NEP (New Economic Policy) is obsolete. I always say the NEP benefits the few family members of the ruling establishment and their cronies. So we stop this practice of awarding tenders, projects and privatization to family-related companies and cronies only at states where we are in charge."

"We also realize there is a new generation of Malaysians who were too young to remember the Reformasi movement that started a decade ago. Reaching out to them will happen in large part through technology."

"No power on earth can stop the power of the people."

"All over again, after 15 years, they want to put me in the lockup and that is why they are rushing."

"I will walk again for the third time into prison but rest assured that I will walk in with my head held high. I maintain my innocence."

"I maintain my innocence. This to me is a fabrication coming from a political conspiracy to stop my political career."

"In order to call for a focus on the general elections, I am choosing not to offer myself as the candidate for prime minister. In hopes of amassing all strengths in a team to go against UMNO-BN, it is fair to ensure the participation of all leaders effectively. This includes benefiting from the position and role of Mahathir Mohamad."

"I and Mahathir have buried the hatchet already, it was a long time ago."

"Up to RM28 billion allocation a year to help the poor but there were leakages and neither the fishermen nor the farmers received the assistance. We don't want it to happen again as the help should reach the target and we need to identify the implementation method so there will be no more corruption and leakages."

"We have tried (in Malaysia), for the last half-century, a pro-Bumiputra policy that benefited cronies and elites. Look at the figures. Poverty has increased! Inequality has increased! It becomes like a clientelist system. And that needs to be rejected!"

"Malaysia fortunately has more than enough resources and wealth to address the issue of poverty. Therefore there is no excuse to not prioritize the problem at hand."

"Alhamdulillah, today Pakatan Harapan has come up with ten main pledges for the rakyat (people) for GE15 (15th general election). Through these offerings, (Pakatan Harapan) is determined and focused on redeveloping Malaysia which has been plagued and beset by all sorts of crises, including lame policies and administrative weaknesses, health issues, crumbling economy, rising cost of living, dwindling employment opportunities, food supply and education issues among others. I implore the rakyat (people) to study this offer and therefore give us the mandate to emerge as the party with the clearest majority to govern and rule the country. We will work very hard for our beloved country, Reformasi!"