Anwar hails TM’s 80-year role in expanding connectivity, calls for shared prosperity

CYBERJAYA, Aug 26 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today praised Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) as an important institution in nation-building as it marked its 80th anniversary, saying the company had played a pivotal role in democratising communication across the country.

Anwar, speaking at the company’s anniversary celebration here ahead of the Merdeka celebrations on Monday, said TM had evolved from its pre-independence roots into a key driver of connectivity and digital development today.

“Independence is not merely about replacing English officers with Malay officers, nor is it about extracting wealth for the elite,” Anwar said. 

“It is about sharing that prosperity with the people and from pre-independence until today, TM has provided essential connectivity, comfort, and developed to meet the evolving needs of the nation, for everyone,” he added.

Anwar also touched on TM’s privatisation in the 1990s, saying greater efficiency and profitability were important but should not come at the expense of workers’ welfare.

Anwar said he acknowledged that TM’s privatisation helped drive corporate efficiency and profits. 

Still, he stressed that government-linked companies must balance financial performance with social responsibility, pointing to TM as a model for equitable growth under his “Madani” policy framework.

“We privatise for efficiency and profits, but it cannot be limited to just that,” Anwar noted, urging corporate leaders to focus on improving worker welfare, raising wages, and securing quality housing and education for employees’ families.

He said TM had an important role to play as Malaysia moves into a new era of technological development, including in areas such as artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.

“If we want to progress, we must step into a new era and train our youth to explore new frontiers,” Anwar said.

He said TM is one of the service providers instrumental in that push, as the government looks to deploy next-generation internet-based capabilities and digital infrastructure.

He described TM as a regional powerhouse but stressed that technological progress and economic growth must ultimately benefit all Malaysians.