Anwar Ibrahim calls for stronger democratic accountability

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim emphasized that trust and accountability must serve as the foundation for the exercise of power to ensure those in authority remain responsible. Speaking at the Khazanah Megatrends Forum 2026, he argued that democratic accountability must be practiced in a real sense and cannot be limited solely to the period of elections.

Anwar noted that the lack of sufficient attention to accountability in both national and global governance contributes to issues such as unfair trading practices, unilateral tariffs, and ongoing conflicts. He warned that power is currently moving faster than the institutions designed to regulate it, often leaving the most vulnerable populations to bear the consequences of poor decision-making.

Additionally, the Prime Minister highlighted the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI), chips, and data on the global economic and political landscape. He called for serious attention to the security and control of these technologies to mitigate cyber risks and manage the challenges posed by AI models that may bypass safety protocols.