Anwar said the meeting was part of a continuing effort to gather views from every part of society.

“The discussion also touched on new growth areas and methods to strengthen the investment ecosystem,” he said in a statement.

Among those who attended the meeting were former Khazanah Research Institute (KRI) chairman Nungsari Ahmad Radhi, the chairman and board members of the Malaysian Institute of Economic Research (MIER), Noor Azlan Ghazali, director of a development institute at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Treasury secretary-general Johan Mahmood Merican, and economy ministry secretary-general Nor Azmie Diron.

“I understand that any reform requires discipline and patience. It also requires confidence and courage to do new things and make tough decisions for the benefit of the people and the country,” Anwar said.

He added that the government would work hard towards inclusive and sustainable economic growth, which was “not about numbers alone” but also “work on the needs and wishes of the people”.

Anwar, who is also the finance minister, said all views provided at the discussion would be used in designing the Madani economic narrative announced on Monday.

Economy minister Rafizi Ramli said the policy, due to be unveiled in August, will focus on creating a sustainable high-value economy, improving social security coverage, and reforming the labour market to face economic structural challenges.

Anwar said economists warned him there is limited time to bring Malaysia’s economy back on track.