Anwar Ibrahim urges youth to lead in the present at iFUTURE 2026

The third International Young Future Leaders Summit (iFUTURE 2026) convened 1,231 students from 60 countries at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur. Organized by the Ministry of Higher Education, the three-day event, running from October 11 to 13, included 813 local and 418 international participants.

During the summit, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim urged youth to act as leaders in the present rather than merely being viewed as leaders of the future. He emphasized that students should serve as the conscience of society, courageously fighting against corruption, exploitation, and injustice. Anwar noted that true leadership must be rooted in moral values and empathy rather than just academic qualifications.

The summit, themed ‘Redefining Future Leadership Based on Values,’ features dialogues with various leaders, including Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof and ministers discussing nation-building and institutional reform. Anwar also reiterated the government's commitment to reforming the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (AUKU) to ensure students have the space for critical thinking and expression without fear of prosecution.