Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has led the launch of the National Strategy for Financial Literacy 2026–2030 (NS2.0), outlining Malaysia’s renewed commitment to improving financial awareness and inclusion nationwide.
Themed “Shaping a Resilient Financial Future,” the five-year strategy builds on the first National Strategy for Financial Literacy introduced in 2019 and aims to equip Malaysians with the skills to manage money wisely, safeguard against financial shocks, and prepare for long-term stability.
It outlines five strategic priorities to strengthen financial well-being and introduces a new Monitoring and Evaluation Framework with clear KPIs and measurable targets to ensure transparency and accountability.
Malaysia Unifies Financial Education Efforts Under New Coordination Office
In his address, Anwar said financial literacy must go beyond formal education and urban circles to reach every Malaysian.
He urged banks and financial institutions to play a stronger role in educating the public, especially through schools, mosques, and local communities.
Anwar noted that schools are already under pressure to strengthen language, digital, and AI competencies, and said financial institutions must help share the responsibility for improving financial understanding nationwide.
He added that financial literacy is not only about numbers but also about awareness, judgment, and responsibility, stressing that greater understanding is key to preventing scams and promoting a more informed society.
Bank Negara Malaysia Governor Datuk Sri Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour said financial literacy has become an essential life skill that supports both individual well-being and national resilience.
He noted that Malaysia’s Financial Literacy Index had risen by more than 13 percent over the past five years, surpassing the global average.
He said knowledge alone is not enough and that what matters is how people apply it in their daily lives.
The governor highlighted inclusivity, digitalisation, and transparent monitoring as central pillars of the new strategy.
He added that NS2.0 also builds on Malaysia’s strengths in Islamic finance, where principles of fairness and transparency reinforce responsible financial behaviour.
A National Coordination Office under the Financial Education Network (FEN) will be established in January 2026 to coordinate efforts across 45 partner organisations, including Bank Negara Malaysia, the Securities Commission, the Employees Provident Fund, and the Credit Counselling and Management Agency.
Taking Financial Education Nationwide Through Roadshows
To expand outreach, the Prime Minister also launched Financial Literacy Month (FLM) 2025 and flagged off the “Skuad Celik Kewangan” roadshow, which will travel to 111 locations nationwide.
The initiative aims to deliver financial education directly to underserved groups, including persons with disabilities and rural micro-entrepreneurs.
In conjunction with the launch, the National Financial Literacy Symposium 2025 gathered policymakers, researchers, and community leaders to share ideas on building a financially resilient nation under the theme “Shaping a Financially Resilient Nation: A Well-Informed and Inclusive Financial Ecosystem.”
The launch follows Bank Negara Malaysia’s release of the Policy Document on Personal Financing on 30 September, which requires financial consumers applying for personal financing above RM100,000 to complete a financial education module, as part of the regulator’s broader effort to promote responsible borrowing and prudent financial management.
The launch of NS2.0 and FLM2025 reaffirms the government’s and FEN’s joint commitment to strengthening Malaysia’s financial resilience through education, collaboration, and inclusion.
