Malaysia’s economic ambitions will depend not only on better policies but also on stronger institutions, political maturity and public trust, said Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) chairman Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz.
Delivering a special leadership address at the Youth Economic Forum 2026 on Saturday, Tengku Zafrul said his central message was that Malaysia must “revamp not only its socio-economic policies, but also its politics” if it wants to build a stronger economic future. The forum was held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.
He argued that even well-designed economic plans ultimately depend on whether institutions command trust, the civil service is effective and the justice system is seen as fair. Long-term policy continuity also matters to investors and young Malaysians deciding whether to build their futures in the country.
Tengku Zafrul contrasted this with what he described as “mature politics”, where industrial strategies can survive changes in government, Parliament focuses on evidence, procurement is transparent and businesses compete on merit rather than connections.
On the economy, he said Malaysia must ensure investment translates into higher-income jobs, stronger local companies, new skills and greater SME participation in global supply chains, rather than focusing solely on headline investment numbers.
He said Malaysia’s young population would only become an economic advantage if it generated greater productivity, innovation, high-value employment and entrepreneurship, particularly as artificial intelligence reshapes entry-level jobs and global trade patterns change.
Tengku Zafrul also said Malaysia’s economic focus has increasingly shifted from pure efficiency towards resilience, with fiscal reforms strengthening public finances while economic policy must continue protecting vulnerable groups and lifting wages alongside productivity. This emphasis on resilience and higher-paying employment was also highlighted in contemporary reporting on his address.
He urged young Malaysians to participate beyond elections by engaging in public consultations, policy work and community leadership, while scrutinising political representatives on issues such as jobs, housing, climate and integrity.
Tengku Zafrul concluded that Malaysia’s next economic leap would ultimately depend on a generation willing to take a more active role in shaping public institutions, economic policy and national leadership rather than waiting to inherit them.
