{
  "id": 8826497,
  "title": "PM Anwar appeals for unity, tells parties to stop playing racial card when desperate",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/pm-anwar-appeals-for-unity-tells-parties-to-stop-playing-racial-card-8826497",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-21T02:31:56.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/09/21/pm-anwar-appeals-for-unity-tells-parties-to-stop-playing-racial-card-when-desperate/235943"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Kota Syahbandar, Malaysia - Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has once again urged political parties to refrain from using racial issues to gain public support. Speaking at the 41st Malaysia Chinese Cultural Festival, Anwar warned that such tactics are often employed when parties are in a vulnerable position, particularly during challenging political circumstances. \"When politics becomes convoluted and contentious, parties withdraw support and resort to playing the racial card,\" he stated. Present at the event were Steven Sim Chee Keong, the Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister, and Melaka State Secretary Datuk Salhah Salleh. Anwar pointed out that Malaysia has been independent for 69 years and emphasized that racial issues should no longer be the focal point for any community in the country. As Malaysia nears its 70th year of independence, he urged the nation to embrace its diverse races collectively, regardless of who holds the reins of power. Anwar's speech was more of an appeal, urging the public to return to their collective strength and recognize that every voice matters for the survival of the nation. He questioned why there were endless arguments and disputes among Malaysians and clarified that this country belongs to all of us. Anwar reiterated that his government will not tolerate corruption or abuse of power, vowing to eradicate these issues completely. \"My government and I will show zero tolerance, and I will continue to act decisively to clean this country of corruption,\" he declared.",
  "summary": "MELAKA, Sept 21 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has once again cautioned political parties against explo...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "PM Anwar appeals for unity, tells parties to stop playing racial card when desperate",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/pm-anwar-appeals-for-unity-tells-parties-to-stop-playing-racial-card",
        "published": "2026-09-21T02:31:56.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}