March 11, 2026
kuala lumpur – Malaysians must not sacrifice their moral compass and family system in the race to adopt artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said that while the country must aggressively pursue technological progress, the people must remain firmly rooted in cultural and religious values to counter the negative effects of rapid modernization.
“We must reach for the skies with new technologies, digital transformation, and AI to avoid being left behind.
“But even as we reach for the sky, we must always keep our feet on the ground,” he said in a speech at the 2026 International Women’s Day celebrations held at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Center (Mytec) on Tuesday, March 10.
Mr. Anwar explained that staying grounded means preserving religious beliefs, moral values, culture and traditions, which have been primarily formed and preserved by the family system.
He pointed out that although Malaysia has embraced development and positive Western influences, it must be wary of the moral decadence that comes with unchecked modernization.
“This is a normal phenomenon of modernization and Westernization, with a general degeneration of values, ethics, and family roles.
“While we choose to be modern and engage with everyone without prejudice, we must be mindful of our own identity. One of the important values we must uphold is family,” he said.
Therefore, Anwar said reviving these core beliefs is a key strategy under the Malaysia Madani framework.
He added that the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development plays a central role in this national mission.
“The core role of the family system has led us to view the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development as the parent ministry that ensures the survival of a nation bound by faith and values,” he said.
This year’s theme, “Empowering Women, Strengthening Nations,” emphasizes how caring for women strengthens entire nations.
