If the proposal for a second national consultative council (NCC) is imagined as a "council of wise men" to save the nation, then it deserves the thumbs down, according to an academic.

Stressing he is "all for dialogue and reconciliation", Penang Institute fellow Wong Chin Huat however said the NCC must not be modelled after its predecessor, which was headed by second prime minister Abdul Razak Hussein in the aftermath of the 1969 race riots.

"The atmosphere after 1969 was one of depoliticalisation and Razak's core idea was to turn passionate politics into mundane administrative matters," he told Malaysiakini.

Wong said this was the basis for the reinforced "government knows best" mentality and noted how Razak stated he only wanted to keep the form of democracy but not its substance.

"He was at best a benevolent autocrat, who deep down, lamented differences and competition. If the second NCC is to get Malaysia back to the 'benevolent patriarchal state', then no," the academic added.

Wong was responding to the late prime minister's son and CIMB chairperson Nazir Razak, who yesterday reiterated his proposal for a second NCC.

Nazir, who is the brother of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, said a second NCC could chart a new long term course for the nation in line with the current needs and aspirations of Malaysians.

Must take into account post-2008 political changes

Meanwhile, Wong also stressed that a second council would need to take into account the significant political changes which occurred after the 2008 general election.

Failing which, he said it would be a pointless endeavour.

The NCC, said Wong, should not be about setting the outcomes of national policies or goals in national development.

"It should be about processes and institutions that facilitate healthy diversity, competition and cooperation in the country.

"It must be explicitly based on multiparty democracy, and include in its agenda the reinforcement of check-and-balance mechanisms, moving away from the 'winner-takes-all' system, which was very much built by Razak after 1969," he added.

The nation's future, Wong stressed, must not hinge on the benevolence of feudal politics or corporate elites.

Therefore, he said the new consultative council must be framed in a larger national conversation with the belief that public participation is good as long as everyone remains non-violent and civil.

Analyst: Najib's cabinet must prove its worth

Political analyst Khoo Kay Peng, on the other hand, is of the opinion that there is no need for another national consultative council.

"What is the definition of the NCC?

"Is it a supra body above the cabinet or just an advisory body? Is the NCC going to take over like an emergency cabinet and then solve problems?" he asked.

Khoo said feedback could be obtained at any time and should not be limited to only members of the NCC.

He said this could be done through internet platforms, which would ensure a wider feedback instead of from just a few members of the council.

"At the end of the day, the important thing is that it is time for his (Najib's) cabinet to prove its worth.

"Having a consultative council does not mean the cabinet should not be coming out with solutions because they are the executive body that can come out with solutions," he added.

The first NCC, comprising representatives from various political parties as well as public figures, was set up to discover ways to foster better race relations.

Among others, The NCC report had paved the way for the formulation of the New Economic Policy (NEP).

In repeating his call yesterday, Nazir mentioned that critical issues such as a needs based affirmative action versus NEP, Islamic state versus secular constitution and the rebuilding trust in institutions as well as imbuing moderation in politics and society should be discussed.

He said this when expressing agreement with Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar’s call for a uniformed education system.