‘Not a zero-sum game’: Anwar says he wants to help Malays, but not by denying others’ rights

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim addresses UiTM alumni and students in Shah Alam on September 26, 2026. — Picture by Firdaus Latif

By Ida Lim

First Published: Saturday, 26 Sep 2026 4:29 PM MYT

SHAH ALAM, Sept 26 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today said he wants to help Malays in the country, while stressing that this should not come at the expense of the rights of others because it is not a “zero-sum game”.

“But I’m confident the Bumiputera agenda can be expanded with a guarantee of social justice and without breaching the guarantee of safety and comfort of the non-Bumiputera.

“I always say, it’s not a zero-sum game. I want to help the Malays because they are my people. I’m proud of their culture, their heritage,” he said in a speech at Universiti Teknologi MARA’s (UiTM) Dewan Agung Tuanku Canselor here, drawing loud cheers from alumni and students.

“But I ‘tidak senang’ (dislike) any views that insult others, that belittle others’ roles or deny the rights of others. That is my stand,” he added.

Just before making the remarks, Anwar invited UiTM alumni to select seven to 10 representatives to evaluate programmes under Bumiputera agencies, including UiTM itself, and propose improvements.

Earlier in his speech, Anwar indicated that greater attention would be given to the socio-economic development of the Bumiputera community in next month’s federal Budget compared with previous Budgets.

He said this was not intended as divisive politics, but formed part of a national agenda, as the interests of the Bumiputera majority and indigenous communities in Sabah and Sarawak could not be sidelined.

Anwar also said he would be stricter in ensuring that every ringgit allocated to Malay and Bumiputera agencies was not misappropriated or subject to “sakau” (theft) by anyone, another remark that drew loud cheers from the audience.