The Covid-19 pandemic has exposed pre-existing gaps in Malaysia’s social protection system with many individuals falling through the cracks. Most social assistance programmes continue to be associated with the idea of a short-term buffer and lack sustainable financial and legal foundations, resulting in unpredictable benefits, under-coverage and programme fragmentation. Social insurance schemes implemented by social security institutions have demonstrated great agility and speed in providing relief, but their reach continues to be limited to formal sector workers who are making contributions. It is an opportune time for the current model to be reconfigured in preparing for a more volatile and challenging future which could contest the sustainability of the social protection system in the coming decades. This report advocates an inclusive social protection system in Malaysia with a forward-looking approach in preventing poverty and addressing vulnerability. It recommends the adoption of the life cycle approach and emphasises on a universal provision of social protection floor against major risks at each stage of everyone’s life.