Umno Youth’s secretariat for nation-building will embark on a fact-finding mission based on the history of the formation of Malaysia and drafting of the Federal Constitution.

The working committee, headed by Wan Azizi Wan Mohd, will collect information and provide suggestions on issues that concern nation building.

The committee, which held its inaugural meeting today, has three months to put together a report and submit it to Umno Youth chief, Hishammuddin Hussein for his consideration.

Besides gathering information from grassroots supporters, it will also discuss related issues with NGOs and government agencies.

umno youth pc wan azizi wan mohd 030608 04 “We have three objectives. The main objective is to comprehensively educate (the public) on building a Malaysian nation,” said Wan Azizi.

He lamented that “the younger generation especially does not seem to understand the basis of our constitution, which is a constitutional monarchy”.

“Issues that we are concentrating on are the very basis of the nation. How did the nation come about?” he asked rhetorically.

Need to understand social contract

He stressed that there is a need to understand the social contract that Malaysians have agreed upon.

“We will concentrate on the rights of the monarchy, Malay rights, issues concerning transparency, the federation’s official religion, and relations with other races.

“(We will also) suggest measures for nation building over the next 50 years. What is Malaysia going to look like 50 years from now?”

Wan Azizi said that the History subject in school would be reviewed if needs be.

barisan nasional The first phase of the plan would be solely an Umno initiative before it is opened to the other component parties within Barisan Nasional (BN).

The nation-building secretariat is one of five committees formed following BN’s poor performance in the last general election.

Its scope of duties cover the monarchy, Malay agenda, judiciary, integrity and transparency.

A two-day ‘retreat’ will be held from tomorrow to discuss the duties and responsibilities of all five working committees.

The other four secretariats are to work on issues of consensus, rejuvenation of Umno, safeguarding the public interest, and media relations.