Seeking royal assent for plans for a better Malaysia

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On October 29, 2021, 55 prominent Malaysians had written to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong seeking His Majesty's consent for the formation of a deliberative platform under the Conference of Rulers to formulate reforms towards a better Malaysia.

Coordinated by Datuk Seri Nazir Razak, the media has been given permission to publish the letter which has been edited for brevity.

DYMM Yang di-Pertuan Agong,

May it please Your Majesty, we, the undersigned, write to propose the formation of a deliberative platform under the auspices of the Conference of Rulers to deliberate and recommend systemic reforms towards a better Malaysia: one that is politically more democratic and stable; economically more dynamic and conditioned to face pressing challenges such the 4th Industrial Revolution and climate change; and socially more just and aligned with our original aspirations of becoming a nation of Malaysians. We propose that such a platform be named the “Better Malaysia Assembly”.

The NCC of 1970: time for a new reset

Our prevailing system remains essentially the one designed in the early 1970s, following deliberations by the National Consultative Council (NCC). Reforms such as amendments to the Sedition Act and affirmative action were innovative ways to cater to the needs of the nation at that time. But these reforms were not designed to last indefinitely, and, in the case of the New Economic Policy (NEP), a 20-year term limit was set. This national reset took place over 50 years ago, and even though so much has changed for Malaysia and Malaysians, the system remains substantially in place.

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