Focus on new security threats, not old polemics, politicians told

PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim wants political leaders to move beyond divisive debates over race and religion, and urged them to concentrate on modern security challenges instead.

Speaking at the National Security Month 2026 celebrations here today, Anwar warned that rapid changes in technology has created new threats that demand urgent attention.

“Even in Parliament, we still debate old issues: race and religion. Look at the current polemics in Johor, and the issue of regional sentiments.

“Meanwhile, the major issues that threaten the country are not given enough emphasis. That is what concerns me,” he said.

Anwar said safeguarding national security starts at home with families serving as the first “firewall” against harmful influences and ideologies.

“In the past, we spoke of firewalls in cyberspace. Today, those firewalls should be built within every family to safeguard not only the moral values of our children, but also against the possibility of them being influenced by ideologies that could threaten national security,” he said.

Anwar stressed that national security could no longer be seen as the sole responsibility of security agencies but required the participation of every Malaysian.

He said tackling modern threats demanded a whole-of-nation approach involving government agencies, political leaders, the private sector and the general public.

“There can no longer be compartmentalisation. We cannot say, this is the private sector’s issue, this is that department’s responsibility, or this is that ministry’s responsibility,” he added.

Anwar acknowledged that such collaboration does not come naturally, as ministries and departments traditionally operated within their own mandates.

He also said Malaysia was strengthening security cooperation with Thailand, with discussions extending beyond conventional border management to include digital security and artificial intelligence.

Both countries are working together to address shared challenges along their common border, including illegal intrusions, smuggling and other cross-border security threats, the prime minister said.