KUALA LUMPUR – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim called on all civil servants to carry out their duties with strong values and morals, regardless of their position.
Noting the advancement of technology and global developments, he urged civil servants to also focus on elevating their faith while upholding ethical values.
“Despite the busy work schedules and rapid developments in line with global technological advancements, we must strengthen our faith and uphold values and ethics,” he said in a video posted on Facebook.
Anwar also alluded to the story of the seven youths of Ashabul Kahfi, as recounted in Surah Al-Kahf of the Quran, for comparison.
He said the story revolves around a time when the government and its king, who was a tyrant, were involved in the practice of idol worship.
However, these seven youths rejected these teachings and took refuge in a cave. This showed their strong faith in Islam, Anwar said.
Anwar also called on civil servants to learn from the younger generation’s resilience and strong faith, which protect them from engaging in polytheism and corruption.
“My views and opinions have been misunderstood by various parties, including preachers and scholars, resulting in criticism and mockery. This shouldn’t have happened.
“A culture of constructive discourse must be encouraged, not harsh criticism, especially if it involves Quranic verses, which are now widely spoken about on social media,” he said, adding that it is also important to foster a positive discussion culture.
Anwar said he hoped to see an improvement in understanding Islam and the significance of contributing constructively to societal well-being.
Last week, Anwar was reported as saying that he holds respect for ulama, except for those who offer mediocre and silly comments that are overtly political and frequently change their fatwas while being intolerant of disagreement.
He also similarly recounted an incident where some preachers took one of his speeches out of context, specifically when he cited the Quranic verse Ashabul Kahfi, the story of seven youths in a cave. – December 31, 2023