Malaysians living longer but not healthier, says PM
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has called for healthcare reform in Malaysia, citing a growing health gap that could undermine the country's well-being.
Speaking at the International Social Well Being Conference 2025, he said Malaysians live to 76 on average but spend just 67 of those years in good health, leaving nearly a decade of poor health or disability.
"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 that we are living better.
"This is a wake-up call to make us place a heavier emphasis on investing in our health, particularly in preventive care, public health education and community-based support systems.
"We must shift from a system that treats disease to one that promotes lifelong wellness," he said.
Anwar added: "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."
He said the global longevity economy is projected to exceed USD65 trillion by 2030, according to the Global Longevity Economy Outlook.
"If Malaysia is to be an initiative-taking leader, we must invest in health systems, social care, housing, financial tools and industries that serve an ageing society."
He said living to 100 once seemed remote.
"According to the United Nations World Population Prospects database, Malaysia had fewer than 10 centenarians in the early 1970s. Today, we have over 1,000, and the number is expected to grow. The real question now is not whether we are ageing, but whether we are adapting."
He said longevity is a transformation of society, not just a trend, and urged policymakers to ask whether institutions and thinking are prepared for the shift.
Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar and Employees Provident Fund chairman Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali were also present at the conference today.
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