Anwar tells youths to lead now, urging students to be society’s conscience against corruption and injustice

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim urged university students to step up as moral leaders of society, rather than waiting for future generations to take up the mantle. At the 3rd International Young Future Leaders Summit 2026, Anwar challenged young people to boldly champion causes against corruption, exploitation, and injustice. Reflecting on his own student activism, Anwar dismissed the notion that youths are merely leaders of tomorrow, emphasizing that they are leaders of both the present and the future.

He stressed that the present society cannot condone corruption, exploitation, or injustice, and it is the responsibility of the youth to champion this cause. Anwar cautioned against intellectual arrogance, stating that possessing academic qualifications alone does not equate to true leadership; moral grounding and empathy are equally important.

He reiterated the government's commitment to removing restrictive provisions in the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971, ensuring student leaders have the space to exercise critical thinking and voice their ideas. The three-day summit, themed “Redefining Future Leaders Through Value-Based Leadership,” brought together 1,231 student leaders from 60 countries to foster international student leadership networks.