Salam Maal Hijrah to all.

The first National Consultative Council (NCC) was set up in January 1970 by the late Abdul Razak Hussein to find ways to promote and strengthen racial harmony so that normalcy would return and Parliament restored.

Close to half-a-century later, his youngest son mooted the idea for a second NCC (NCC2) to arrest the deteriorating state we are in on many areas. Incidentally, the situation now is totally different from before. Then, we had a national tragedy and we need to focus on racial harmony. Now, we do not have a tragedy but left unattended could lead to such.

What we now have is a myriad of upsetting issues/events that includes widespread corruption, the integrity of the federation, democratic process, trust in our institutions, our education system, affirmative action, security, the role of religion and again, racial harmony.

The situation we are in today is where some parties are winning some battles but as a nation we are not winning the war. The future looks to be hazy, like the annual haze phenomenon.

Nazir Razak is a gentleman when he used the word ‘desperate’. I am quite sure many Malaysians would have used the word ‘hopelessness’.

All is not lost. As a nation, we still have ‘brains’ around us who believe and can think on how to arrest the declining position.

As a national platform for reconciliation, Nazir proposed the NCC2 should be set up under the auspices of the Conference of Rulers. This has to be supported by the government, political parties, ethnic communities, mass media, academics, religious leaders, trade unions, businessmen and professional motivators. The long list of sensitive issues need to be discussed moderately and like the first NCC, behind closed doors.

Learning from the shortcomings of the first NCC, the body should be seen as moving positively forward and a true voice of the rakyat. It should be largely represented by non-politicians or public figures from various sectors of society.

It is a bit tricky here with two issues. One, it seems to usurp the powers of Parliament where people will lose faith in the democratic process, which itself is one of the issues. Two, who would nominate members in the NCC. Members of the first NCC were nominated by the government and it was seen as a chamber for some defeated Alliance candidates.

If all the political parties are willing to accept NCC2, the issue of usurping the powers of Parliament will be dealt with. As for the members, as a responsible government, the government of the day should recommend a list to the Conference of Rulers. As suggested earlier, membership should be largely represented by non-politicians. I would think we limit the number to only four for politicians, two each from the government and opposition.

It was proposed that the chairperson of NCC2 is to be appointed by the Conference of Rulers to command authority and to ensure that an outcome can be put into action. By extension, the chairperson will report to the Conference of Rulers.

Set of objectives

For this initiative to be successful, a set of objectives have to be achieved within a reasonable time-frame. Results and outcome to be made public before finalisation to get additional input. It calls for compromises to be made by all parties and the ultimate objective should be for a progressive, modern and a Malaysia that can be showcased to the world.

During discussions, the council should never lose sight of the pre-independence ‘historic bargain’ or constitutional contract made between the Alliance leaders.

Some may opine that NCC2 may not be the best solution for fear of ego-tripping or grandstanding. But given current conditions, it has to be an initiative from the rakyat.

A few days ago, someone made a proposal on conditional amnesty. It is a good compromise but do we want to tell our future generations that it is acceptable or okay to do something that is not acceptable and later negotiate for amnesty! Such a move will also demotivate our lawmakers who have labouriously enacted many laws on many issues and occasions.

What is at hand now have been left unattended for some time and some have been swept under the carpet for too long. We need to do some housekeeping urgently.

Being the supreme institution in the country and the only such institution in the world, we look upon the Conference of Rulers to press the button now before it turns into a panic button.

His Majesty and all Their Royal Highnesses, we are hopeful.

What say you...