Anwar Free Education For Hardcore Poor From Preschool To University Starting Next Year

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Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim delivers his speech during the Festival of Ideas Putrajaya 2025 closing ceremony in Putrajaya, November 7, 2025. — Picture by Raymond ManuelPUTRAJAYA, Nov 7 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today announced that the government will provide free education across all levels — from preschool to university — for the hardcore poor starting next year.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Putrajaya Festival of Ideas (FOI) 2025 at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre, Anwar said the initiative marked a new phase in efforts to uplift underprivileged Malaysians despite fiscal challenges.
“Although we inherited a government burdened by trillions in debt, after two years in office, we must act to secure the future of our students from hardcore poor families,” he said.
“With that, the Madani government will begin a new phase never done before. We will start by helping the hardcore poor first, based on our financial capacity. Beginning next year, education will be free for the hardcore poor — from preschool to university.”
Anwar also urged students to engage in more intellectual and ethical discourse, and to present arguments with conviction rather than resorting to outdated or divisive rhetoric.
“Even in Parliament today, some debates are offensive — insulting other races and religions — without offering constructive ideas. This is not healthy politics, and these are the kinds of ideologies we must move past,” he said.
He added, half in jest, that current student leaders sometimes debate better than some Members of Parliament.
“So I urge the media and TV broadcasters to feature these young leaders in televised discussions. Perhaps we could even invite them to debate in Parliament — maybe not in the main hall, maybe the hall next to it — and hopefully MPs will listen,” he quipped.
FOI is a nationwide education expo featuring conferences, exhibitions, and forums aimed at encouraging intellectual discourse, innovation, and knowledge-based solutions for national development.
This year’s edition runs from November 4 to 8 at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre. - malaymail

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