PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has warned that ongoing silence over the atrocities committed by Israel in Gaza undermines the integrity of global discourse on social security and human rights.
Delivering his keynote address at the World Social Security Forum (WSSF) 2025, themed ‘Shaping Social Security for a World in Transition’, Anwar said, “Silence in the face of Israel’s brutality in Gaza renders any discussion on global social security meaningless.”
He stressed that the systematic violence inflicted upon Palestinians must be recognised as part of a broader global challenge to social justice.
“The continued forced expulsion of Palestinian families from Gaza is not the result of climate change,” he asserted. “It is the direct consequence of the actions of a Zionist regime that disregards international law and humanitarian principles.”
Describing the situation as a “genocide”, Anwar said it demands “unequivocal condemnation,” adding that it is “not mere political rhetoric but a fundamental breach of human rights that threatens the very fabric of global social security.”
He warned that such violations deny essential rights — including safety, dignity and access to critical services — which are integral to any system of social protection.
The Prime Minister also paid tribute to international activists, including Malaysians, who have joined flotilla missions to Gaza, calling them “symbols of solidarity and resistance against oppression.”
He said the involvement of the international community shows that the responsibility to confront state-sponsored violence is a “shared global effort.”
“Malaysia has consistently condemned Zionist occupation and colonial settlement in Palestine,” he declared. “This commitment reflects our unwavering stance for justice that transcends borders.”
Underscoring the importance of solidarity in global social movements, Anwar urged that it be integrated into international conversations on social protection and security.
He also called for a new vision of social security that reflects present realities and prepares for future challenges, one that is aligned with Malaysia’s national reform framework under the Malaysia Madani concept.
“The term ‘Madani’ carries profound meaning,” he explained. “It recalls Al-Madinah, established by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) on the foundations of justice, compassion and human dignity.”
He emphasised that a society should not be judged solely by its wealth or power, but by “the justice it upholds, the respect it shows, and the values it places on every human being.”
Elaborating, Anwar reiterated that Malaysia Madani is anchored on six core values — sustainability, prosperity, innovation, respect, trust and compassion.
“These are not newly invented ideals,” he said. “They are timeless truths that are increasingly vital in today’s turbulent world.” - September 29, 2025
