Nation must adapt public policy with longer life expectancy of Malaysians, says Anwar

The Star

17-06-2025

KUALA LUMPUR: With Malaysians experiencing longer life expectancy, the nation must ensure there are changes in public policy to ensure a life of quality and dignity, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister said according to a study, the average Malaysian can expect to live to 76 but not before suffering nine years of poor health.
He said this meant that after reaching 67 years of age, their health deteriorates and so does their quality of life.
"This gap has not improved over the past two decades. In fact, it has widened from 8.6 years in 2000. This means that living longer does not guarantee we are living better, " he said at the International Social Wellbeing Conference (ISWC) 2025 here on Tuesday (June 17).
Anwar said this was a wake-up call for a heavier emphasis on investing in health, particularly in preventive care, public health education and community-based support.
"We must shift from a system that treats disease to one that promotes lifelong wellness.
"We must ask if our institutions, our policies and our thinking are prepared for this shift? As our lifespans lengthen, we must rethink how we sustain our personal well-being, how we plan our economy and how we preserve the fabric of a cohesive, caring society. The idea of living to a hundred did indeed seem remote once.
"According to the United Nations World Population Prospects database, Malaysia had fewer than ten centenarians in the early 1970s. Today, we have more than 1,000 and it is more than likely that the number will continue to grow," Anwar said.