Anwar flags reading decline, shallow thinking as civilisation threats

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has sounded the alarm over the erosion of reading habits and the prevalence of shallow thinking, characterising both as threats to societal progress and civilisational advancement. Speaking in Kuala Lumpur on Monday, Anwar underscored the importance of deep, critical engagement with information and ideas at a time when digital platforms dominate public discourse. The remarks reflect broader anxieties across the region about the quality of intellectual life and informed citizenship in an era dominated by rapid information consumption and social media. Anwar's warning aligns with global concerns about declining literacy levels and the challenges posed by misinformation and surface-level engagement with complex issues. The Prime Minister's intervention suggests Malaysia's leadership views cultural and intellectual renewal as integral to the nation's long-term development and stability.