Prime Ministers Of Malaysia

"The historical relationship between Malaysia and Pakistan that was established for a long time is not only limited to the current bilateral trade, but also in terms of culture, Islamic understanding and philosophy which has benefitted us greatly."

"We are going to tighten (COVID-19) screening (for foreign nationals entering Malaysia), but we won't discriminate against any country. Cabinet has unequivocally decided that health is the main priority, and that questions surrounding tourism and the economy cannot override these interests."

"I hope this visit (to Indonesia) will be able to further strengthen the relationship between the two countries (Malaysia and Indonesia) in addition to exploring new cooperation opportunities through discussions with (the Indonesian) President Joko Widodo, Insha Allah."

"This is a bit personal, Mister President (of Indonesia Joko Widodo). When I was in a difficult situation, living in uncertainty and suffering, Indonesia welcomed me as a true friend."

"We will give room to the chief minister (Hajiji Noor) to hold discussions and find the best formula for the good of Sabah."

"Yes, I am giving my blessings to Hajiji (Noor). We have given our views. We want Sabah to be strong under (Chief Minister) Hajiji (Noor). Give him the space to discuss and find a good formula for Sabah."

"Her reappointment as the chair of the foundation received consensus support from all 56 Commonwealth member nations. She is the first Malaysian and representative from Asia to hold the position since the Foundation was established in 1966. Congratulations, Datuk Sudha Devi!"

"If there are minutes that violates laws and regulations, I must be informed. Even if it comes from me. More so if it comes from my officers, the deputy prime ministers or other ministers."

"I have left UMNO (United Malays National Organisation) for 30 years. I have nothing to do with UMNO anymore."

"The most important thing is for the country to be politically stable, clear in its direction, and strong in the desire to bring change to restore its dignity."

"There are people who asked 'Anwar, if there are wrongdoings, why not prosecute?' Prosecution is not my job. Don't challenge me."

"As a general rule, previous announcements should be honoured although we might have some reservations. Otherwise, it will cause a lot of disruptions."

"I want to start a new transition. No more just slogans. We want appreciation and practice and also truth, justice and unity. Malaysians have become cynical and are tired of just slogans and promises."

"If the main teachers take a wrong action, it must be questioned. Just because that person is a head of a political party, that does not mean all his statements are right. Islam did not teach us to do so (follow blindly). Islamic religious education should be based on deep understanding of the Quran, sunnah and the earliest of Ulemas. The interpretations must be questioned and corrected if need be. That is the tradition of seeking knowledge."

"I received a congratulatory message from US (United States) President Joe Biden, who commended Malaysia's inspiring democracy in the recent general election."

"Indonesia accepted me as a true friend, so I will never forget that. Indonesia is a neighbour, we share the same roots and have a good friendship. It (Indonesia) was also a true friend at a time when I was cast out and sidelined."

"We have to continue to work together to make sure we save this country from corruption."

"I hope to save the country from corruption, all the money stolen, and give it back to the people."

"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."

"I was asked by the (Turkish) president (Recep Tayyip Erdoğan) to be there (in Turkey) immediately, to give moral support (in the aftermath of 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquake). (And) I am considering whether I should fly tonight to Türkiye to show our support. Several leaders of other countries have arrived in the country, and the president has asked me to personally be there."

"The (political) appointments are for government-linked companies, not publicly-listed companies. Those appointed have the suitable qualifications. Unlike before, these appointments are based on their qualifications and it comes with a set of rules. For example, they must (carry out) their responsibilities well, they must not overspend and allowances are given based on their qualifications."

"If Najib is tortured in prison, PH (Pakatan Harapan) leaders including ex-prisoners like Anwar and myself will be the first to defend him. But has MCA (Malaysian Chinese Association) any evidence that Najib is being tortured? The issue is the special treatment given to Najib that was never accorded to Anwar or me when we were in Sungai Buloh and Kajang Prison respectively."

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

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

"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."

"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 will fight. When we take over the country, the first thing we will do is to bring down the price of fuel."

"Free media to my mind, of course, means a responsible media, which means certain rules which they have to observe, but this doesn’t have to be decided by the ruling power. Instead, it should be through an ethics committee run both by the media and authorities."

"I did not ask for a pardon because I was punished, let this be clear on the record. It was the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (Muhammad V of Kelantan) at the time who took the initiative."

"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?"

"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."

"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!"

"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."

"Wherever we look to the east or the west, Britain will always be our friend."

"We call upon all Malaysians, irrespective of race, religion, political situation, creed or parties, young and old, to join us in saving Malaysia from the government headed by Najib Razak. We must rid ourselves of Najib as prime minister."

"It pains me every day to know that the 1MDB debacle happened under my watch as minister of finance and prime minister. For that, I would like to apologise unreservedly to the Malaysian people."

"Firstly, the 2.6 billion ringgit is neither public funds nor 1MDB's money. This was confirmed by the MACC. It's a donation, a gift. A donation is not illegal under any legal provision."

"I agree that there are concerns about governance as a result of the problems with 1MDB. We are applying rigorous and exhaustive processes of investigation, and the wrongdoings will be dealt with in accordance with the law. There are three agencies involved: the police, Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and Bank Negara. All these investigations are ongoing and we will get answers."

"I want to say that what was done by the DOJ recently does not involve me, or the Malaysian government, or 1MDB directly. The suit named five people. This is not a criminal suit, but a civil suit."

"Not as often I'd like to (exercise). I like to eat. My problem is I love food. Like most Malaysians. But I have to control (my eating). For example, I don't eat rice, but quinoa. My son introduced me to quinoa, a food from Peru. It is protein-based, so it has less carbohydrates and less sugar content, so it is better than rice."

"There are times when the price of vegetables, sawi (mustard greens) and kangkung (water convolvulus) goes up and there are times it comes down. I read in the newspaper that some prices have come down. Kangkung price once went up and now it is down. When the prices come down, why are there no praises for the government? When it goes up, the government gets the blame. This is unfair because (such issues are determined by) the weather conditions."

"I am totally innocent of the Altantuya case, absolutely. Until today, there is not a shred of evidence to indicate I was involved because I have no knowledge. Never met her, never seen her and never knew of her existence."

"Soak it (the keris) with Malaysian Chinese blood."

"I wanted to come and see for myself what problem you have and if Robert Lau wins the seat, you will all see a new beginning. I want to make a deal with you. Can we have an understanding? The understanding is quite simple. I help you, you help me. Do we have a deal or not? We do! You want the RM5 million, I want Robert Lau to win. If Robert Lau becomes the MP on Sunday (16 May 2010), on Monday I’ll ask the cheque to be prepared."

"Alhamdulillah, since the time of entering the age of ‘taklif’ [having responsibilities] up to this point, I have never ordered any individual to kill a Mongolian national named Altantuya Shaariibuu. I have not known or met the deceased. If I am lying, then may Allah SWT curse me. And if I am speaking the truth, may Allah curse those who have slandered me and refuse to repent here and in the hereafte."

"Much of the prejudice against Islam in the West stems from a lack of understanding of the true nature of Islam as a religion professed by 1.4 billion people in the world."

"Nobody, not even a people who had suffered as much as the Jews had, have the right to inflict upon others the horrors of Sabra and Shatila."

"The foreign military invasion and continued occupation of Kampuchea is a crime against the Kampuchean people and a threat to regional peace and security."

"The prices of our primary commodities are set by conveniently labelled 'supply and demand forces' located in the industrial countries."