KUALA LUMPUR: A society based on human philosophy, justice, knowledge, responsibility and the future may not win votes but it will save a generation, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“No society rises merely because it has highways, buildings, technology or financial resources. It rises when it has a serious understanding of human philosophy, of justice, of knowledge, of responsibility and of the future,” he said during his speech at the Humane Economy Global Discourse 2026 at WTC Kuala Lumpur here on Thursday (July 23).
“This will not win votes in Negri Sembilan, but it will save a generation,” he added.
He said economic growth must include humane aspects.
He said while Malaysia must remain competitive and open to investments, its economic life must once again be connected to a moral purpose.
“This is a major challenge. To reclaim humanity is to recover a simple but too often neglected truth (which is) the economy is a means, not an end in itself,” he said.
Anwar said its purpose is not merely to produce more numbers, greater consumption, or larger concentrations of wealth, but to enable people to live with dignity, security, purpose, and hope.
“It means asking, before every major decision, whether growth widens opportunity or narrows it, whether it strengthens families and communities or leaves them more vulnerable; whether it treats human beings as partners in development or merely as instruments of production.
“Believe me, these questions are real and tough. Next month or so, I will grapple with formalising the budget for next year, early in October,” he said while being thankful that despite pressures he has not lost sight of the fundamental question of the Madani framework.
He said the country’s budget, growth, economic policies, semiconductor strategy, energy transition, and digital transformation cannot ignore the attempt to restore the moral purpose of governance and development.
“It is not a slogan to be placed on banners. It must be reflected in policy, institutions, and conduct,” he said.
Anwar said prosperity cannot be selective, adding that it should be translated into better wages, meaningful work, affordable housing, accessible healthcare, quality education, thriving communities, and genuine mobility.
