KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 5 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today urged Malaysians to face global economic volatility with resilience, discipline and moral clarity, saying the nation’s progress must be built on credible governance and inclusive growth.
Speaking at the Khazanah Megatrend Forum 2025 themed “Debugging Uncertainty: Lessons from the Grasshopper and the Ant on Living with Risk,” Anwar said Malaysia must chart its path “with a steady hand, armed with fortitude and strategic foresight” amid intensifying global trade tensions and economic nationalism.
“We cannot predict every storm, but we can strengthen the vessel we sail in. It is only through credible governance and stability that we can turn uncertainty into opportunity,” he said.
Anwar stressed that fiscal discipline and institutional reforms were key to sustaining long-term growth and investor confidence.
He said Malaysia has “restored fiscal discipline, strengthened institutions, and refocused public expenditure” on education, healthcare, digital infrastructure and the green economy.
He added that ongoing reforms — including in procurement, governance and subsidy management — aimed to ensure public funds are spent effectively and transparently.
“Our fiscal consolidation path is about stewardship and making sure every ringgit of public money is spent with purpose. Confidence grows when governments show the courage to reform while spending strategically,” he said, adding that growth must align with social justice in line with the Madani Malaysia vision.
The Tambun MP noted that Malaysia’s economy has moved from “uncertainty to recovery,” maintaining steady growth, low inflation and low unemployment. But he cautioned that real success lies in readiness for the next disruption.
“The question is not whether we can avoid risk, but whether we can govern it,” he said. “Risk humbles us, reminding us of our limits, yet it also invites courage and imagination. What distinguishes thriving nations from failing ones is their ability to turn uncertainty into opportunity.”
He said good governance must remain Malaysia’s “moral compass,” ensuring progress does not come at the expense of principle and accountability.
Anwar also said government-linked investment arm Khazanah Nasional Bhd must continue to embody the philosophy of stewardship, balancing commercial returns with national development.
“Khazanah must also champion inclusive development, ensuring that the benefits of growth reach ordinary Malaysians,” he said. “This alignment with the Madani philosophy — inclusivity and social justice — distinguishes meaningful prosperity from the illusion of wealth.”
Touching on global shifts driven by technology, Anwar said that while artificial intelligence and automation can boost productivity, they could also deepen inequality if not guided by ethical governance.
He reaffirmed Malaysia’s commitment to being a credible and constructive global partner, engaging all sides without losing its principles.
“The world may be decoupling, but Malaysia cannot afford to disconnect. We will continue to champion open trade, fair rules and international cooperation through platforms such as ASEAN, APEC and BRICS,” he said.
Anwar concluded by reiterating the Madani government’s core principles of stability with justice, progress with compassion, and growth with dignity.
“When we invest in education, we are building citizens. When we reform governance, we restore trust. And when we attract investors, we invite confidence in Malaysia’s moral and political direction,” he said.
“Nations rise not by avoiding risk, but by facing it together. Malaysia’s story is proof that adversity need not define us — it can refine us.”
