Policymakers, industry leaders, academics and representatives from civil society gathered at Sasana Kijang today for Sasana Symposium 2026 (SS2026), Bank Negara Malaysia’s (BNM) annual thought leadership platform on key economic and financial issues.

Held on 28 and 29 July, SS2026 is themed ‘Reforms for Resilience: Navigating Uncertainties’. Through plenary sessions, side chats and podcasts, discussions cover key issues shaping Malaysia’s economic and financial future. These include economic resilience, wages, cost of living challenges, investments, energy security, Islamic finance and private healthcare costs.

BNM Governor Dato’ Sri Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour highlighted the importance of sustaining reform efforts to further solidify Malaysia’s resilience amid a rapidly changing and uncertain global environment in his keynote address.

‘Resilience is not about preserving things exactly as they are. It is about continually renewing our ability to adapt and seize new opportunities as circumstances evolve,’ he said.

He also emphasised the need for the financial system to evolve in tandem with the nation’s development, noting that ‘BNM’s upcoming Financial Sector Blueprint 2027–2030 will be guided by three aspirations: finance for a more resilient society, finance for a more prosperous society, and a future-proof Malaysia’s financial system.’

Launched at SS2026, iTEKAD Employment is the latest programme under the iTEKAD social finance initiative, complementing the existing Entrepreneurship and Protection programmes. This latest addition supports individuals from vulnerable communities to secure stable employment and income. Through collaboration among financial institutions,^[1] funding partners, training providers and corporates.^[2] participants receive skills training, financial education, job placement support and access to financial solutions. The programme creates a structured pathway to employment, helping participating Malaysians build sustainable income, strengthen their financial well-being and improve their livelihoods.

For more information on iTEKAD Employment, visit bnm.gov.my/itekad-employment.

For more information about the conference, visit bnm.gov.my/ss2026.

^[1]  Participating financial institutions are Bank Islam, Bank Muamalat, CIMB Islamic Bank, Maybank Islamic, Public Islamic Bank, RHB Islamic Bank, and SME Bank.

^[2] Partners include Carsome Academy, GIATMARA, KHTP Skills Centre, KMI Healthcare Sdn. Bhd., Lembaga Tabung Haji, Majlis Agama Islam Melaka, Majlis Agama Islam Perlis, Pahang Skills Development Centre, Pertubuhan Kebajikan Anak Yatim (PEYATIM), Pusat Pungutan Zakat Majlis Agama Islam Wilayah Persekutuan (PPZ MAIWP), University College Bestari (UCB), Yayasan Kebajikan Negara, Yayasan Pahang Advanced Skills, Yayasan Pelajaran MARA, Zakat Majlis Agama Islam Negeri Pulau Pinang (Zakat MAINPP) and Zurich Takaful

Dato’ Sri Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour, Bank Negara Malaysia Governor (fifth from left), together with representatives of the participating financial institutions of iTEKAD Employment.

Dato’ Sri Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour, Bank Negara Malaysia Governor delivering his keynote address at the Sasana Symposium 2026.