KUALA LUMPUR – Prominent corporate figure Datuk Seri Nazir Razak has proposed the formation of Malaysia’s own citizens’ assembly to act as a consultative council for Parliament.
During a livestreamed interview with Sinar Harian today, the former top banker said this was part of the concept of deliberative democracy, which is practiced in countries such as Ireland, as well as top universities including Yale, Stanford, and Oxford, all of which have formed dedicated centres.
Nazir said that he, along with a group of 55 individuals, had written a letter to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on October 28 to propose the formation of the assembly, which was a non-partisan group focussed on nation-building.
“It (the assembly) is similar to the National Economic Consultative Council that we had in the 70s, which is what we innovated.
“In Ireland there is the citizens’ assembly in which they debate long-term issues with the structure of their national system,” he said.
“They feel these issues should not be debated in Parliament because politicians often think about elections and interests of their party, and not necessarily the most important matter, which is the overall future of their country.
“I feel that this is the best way to bring about change to the country.”
Nazir said this during the interview hosted by veteran journalist Tan Sri Johan Jaafar, following the recent launching of the former’s memoirs titled What’s in a Name: Family, Career and the Heart of Malaysia.
During the interview, Nazir was asked to comment on various topics, including the controversial New Economic Policy (NEP), which he said “could not go on forever”.
He said the proposed assembly would be able to discuss policies such as the NEP to ensure they were relevant to current times.
The former CIMB group chairman and youngest brother of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said that he had yet to receive a response from the Agong but hoped for feedback from the palace soon.
On the assembly, Nazir said it would be temporary in nature and consist of 99 members, including a mixed bag of leaders, intellectuals, and common people who will be holding transparent debates.
While the assembly would not have any executive powers, Nasir said the group will submit their recommendations to the Dewan Rakyat for consideration.
“The OECD says there are 289 assemblies like this such as those in Chile, Brazil, and Belgium, and many universities have done studies (into this),” he said.
“Most importantly, those in the assembly are not politicians and will think of what’s best for the country.
“Its only authority is to make recommendations for Parliament, so it is an institution that stands outside Parliament,” he added. – The Vibes, November 24, 2021
