Dr Xavier Jayakumar, who quit PKR in 2021, said Anwar’s task involved a “psychological endeavour” to undo this paradigm among government officials and leaders, Bernama reported.

“For a long time, there has been a mindset that this country belongs to one race alone,” the former natural resources and environment minister said.

He said Anwar’s efforts were a psychological endeavour to remove this thinking from the minds of government officials and leaders.

Xavier cited the way Anwar had repeatedly stated that “all children of all races and religions are my children” since taking the top post in November 2022.

“If we can eliminate racial and religious bias from the minds of government officials and leaders, then we can easily resolve all the problems in the country,” he said. “All citizens, regardless of race and religion, will receive government services without discrimination.”

Having such a government machinery would mean the prime minister need not intervene in issues affecting minorities as officials themselves would step up to the plate.

“Many matters that remain unresolved for years, awaiting special recommendations from ministers or the prime minister, are due to a lack of this consideration by officials,” he said.

Xavier had been with PKR from 1998 before he resigned from the party in March 2021.

He later declared support for then prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin, saying it was a necessary move to ensure political stability and prevent a snap general election at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.

His daughter, Sangetha Jayakumar, is Wanita PKR vice-chief and a board member of the Port Klang Authority.