KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 21): Economic growth and social protection should be in parallel to ensure sustainable progress, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today.

He said as the country strives for economic progress, it is imperative for the country's leadership to constantly re-think and re-evaluate what it means to provide adequate social protection.

"It is the government's duty to ensure that all those under its stewardship can lead meaningful lives," he said when opening the International Social Well-Being Conference 2019 here, today.