DEPUTY Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has called upon young people to rise as the voice of justice and the light of peace, urging them to lead not through dominance but through compassion, conviction and service.
Speaking at the opening of the International Young Future Leaders Summit (iFUTURE) 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Ahmad Zahid told participants that the world needed leaders who listened more than they spoke and who inspired confidence rather than demanded loyalty.
“In my humble view, great leadership grows from two deep roots — love for humanity and devotion to justice,” he said.
He called on the youth to unite in a shared voice for those silenced by conflict and displacement, making special mention of Palestine.
“It can carry the cry of the oppressed, the forgotten and the displaced, including our brothers and sisters in Palestine,” he said. “May we all live to witness, InsyaAllah, a world where Palestine is free. We in Malaysia support the Palestinians; we are supporting the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF). We are supporting the supporters of other nations.”
Also in attendance was the Minister of Higher Education, Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir.
Ahmad Zahid emphasised that true leadership lies not in the pursuit of prestige but in the willingness to serve with sincerity.
“Leadership is a sacred trust of intellect and character. The world today does not need more eloquent speakers, but more attentive listeners. Not those who demand obedience, but those who inspire confidence.”
He described the iFUTURE summit as a platform to reframe power — shifting it from domination to duty, from prestige to purpose, and from self-promotion to self-sacrifice.
“iFUTURE is not about who will lead the world, but how the world should be led. In a time when our world feels increasingly divided, this summit brings together those who still believe that leadership is a trust, not a privilege,” he said.
He also warned against the dangers of digital culture, calling on youth to harness technology with values rather than be consumed by it.
“In a world overwhelmed by perception, remember leadership is not measured by the number of followers, but by the truth you uphold. Humanity must prevail over algorithms, integrity over popularity, and knowledge over noise,” he said. - October12, 2025
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