KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 20, 2026 — Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim today engaged with Malaysian youths, including students studying abroad, during the Temu Anwar session and the official opening of the Himpunan Anak Muda (HAMKA) Antarabangsa 2026 in Klang, Selangor.
In a social media post following the event, Anwar expressed gratitude for the opportunity to meet the young participants from diverse educational backgrounds overseas. He noted that the name “HAMKA” reminded him of the renowned Indonesian Islamic scholar, literary figure and thinker Abdul Malik Karim Amrullah, widely known as Hamka. Anwar described the late scholar as a “lion of the podium” and “warrior of the pen” whose works and ideas had profoundly influenced younger generations, teaching the importance of knowledge, the courage to express views, and openness in cultivating ideas.
Addressing the challenges facing today’s youth, the Prime Minister said young people are confronting an increasingly complex world in which differences of opinion and clashes of ideas are common. These, he stressed, must be guided by knowledge, reasoned arguments and good manners (adab), rather than by sentiment, hatred or narrow group interests.
“I listened to the views and advice of the youths on various matters, and insya-Allah, we will try our best within our available capacity to help young people with various issues,” Anwar wrote.
He concluded the post by quoting Surah Al-Imran, verse 159, which speaks of mercy, gentleness in leadership, forgiveness, consultation and reliance on God.
The three-day HAMKA International Youth Gathering and related programmes, including the Konvensyen Anak Muda Islami (KAMI), brought together around 1,000 young participants for knowledge-sharing, potential development and networking sessions from 18 to 20 August. The Temu Anwar dialogue formed a key highlight of the closing day.
The government’s commitment to supporting youths comes amid ongoing discussions on reforms, including greater autonomy and freedom of expression for university students.
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