I will give my best, that's a promise :)
Peace, anas zubedy
Najib open to attending discussion with Pas by NewStraitsTime
PROMOTING UNITY: 'We will seek further explanation on its scope'
KUALA LUMPUR: PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak has been invited by Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob to attend an Umno-Pas muzakarah (discussion).
Najib said he would accommodate Ahmad's request as the government was always open to discussions.
"However, we also need to see what the scope of the discussion will be. We will seek further explanation from Pas," Najib said after the launch of the National Unity Consultative Council credential presentation here.
On Sunday, Pas president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, in his closing speech at Pas' 59th muktamar, said the party was willing to sit down with Umno to discuss the implementation of an administration based on Islam.
Hadi had said a muzakarah could result in greater unity among Muslims in the country and resolve issues, such as the use of the word "Allah" and matters splitting the ummah (faithful).
In his speech yesterday, Najib outlined seven guidelines to be observed for the nation to progress.
The first, he said, was to maintain peace and harmony at all costs. The second was that all decisions had to be based on the Federal Constitution. Respecting the tenets of Rukun Negara was the third guideline. Fourthly, social justice must be upheld using the principles of 1Malaysia while the fifth guideline was to ensure the nation's wealth was shared in an inclusive, fair and just manner based on a new, vibrant economic model.
Najib also impressed on the need for community and religious tolerance.
He said Malaysians needed to work together on apolitical common ground, such as matters related to public health and the environment.
"I'm not interested in winning legal arguments but in ensuring peace and harmony in Malaysia. There's no substitute for peace and harmony."
Present were Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa, NUCC chairman Tan Sri Samsudin Osman and Ministers in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Joseph Kurup, Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom and Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim.
Najib later presented letters of appointment to Samsudin, NUCC deputy chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye and council members Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir, Datuk Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa, Wardina Safiyyah and Anas Zubedy .
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New unity council free to discuss anything by Free Malaysia Today
Putrajaya's newly-formed National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC) will comprise 29 members from a broad range of experts and is given six months to brainstorm new measures to foster national unity.
The council, headed by Employees Provident Fund chairperson Samsuddin Osman, will present its recommendations to the cabinet and has the freedom to gather feedback and decide on issues that it will tackle.
In announcing the formation of the council today, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak said the new body will be have the freedom to even discuss sensitive topics such as the use of "Allah" by non-Muslims, housing issues and issues involving Sabah and Sarawak.
However, the council can only meet behind closed doors.
"The idea is to have a much more controlled-environment - as the NUCC will discuss issues of ethnicity, constitution, religion and other policies.
"If it is discussed as polemic outside... this will burn the feelings of inter-racial relations and that is not healthy.
"So we need a closed-consultative council that can have open and frank discussion," Najib told reporters at the launch of the NUCC in Kuala Lumpur today.
He said the NUCC would be free of politics and its recommendations can cover four broad topics: Laws, the federal constitution, values and programmes.
Part of the reconciliation plan
Najib denied suggestions that the NUCC was a reaction to 13th general election results, which some claimed went along racial lines.
Instead, he said, the NUCC was "part and parcel" of his national reconciliation plan.
"NUCC should not be not seen as pro-government or pro-opposition but one with an objective viewpoint... those who have an open attitude and not use this as a political platform, then we welcome their participation," Najib said.
"The process of nation-building is a long process and we need positive intervention in a more structured manner."
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Majlis Konsultasi Negara dilancar bagi pupuk perpaduan - ASTRO Awani
KUALA LUMPUR: Tujuh panduan digariskan dalam usaha menjayakan perpaduan nasional dikalangan rakyat pelbagai kaum di negara ini.
Panduan itu antara lain menterjemahkan komitmen kerajaan dalam memastikan perpaduan nasional kekal selain melaksanakan sebarang dasar berlandaskan perlembagaan negara.
Mengulas lanjut Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak berkata panduan itu antara lain merangkumi mengambil gagasan 1Malaysia sebagai model prinsip keadilan sosial.
Selain itu, tujuh panduan itu juga mengambil kira model ekonomi baharu dan menjaga sensitiviti pelbagai kaum dengan rukun negara sebagai panduan.
Najib menarik perhatian, usaha mengukuhkan perpaduan nasional merupakan proses yang panjang.
"Saya sedar dan kita semua sedar cabarannya besar sebab negara kita terlalu kompleks tetapicomplexitynegara kita bukanlah satu penghalang kepada kita untuk mencapai perpaduan nasional, “
“Pada kesudahannya perpaduan nasional akan berpunca daripada minda kita sendiri,” katanya pada Majlis Pelancaran dan Penyampaian Watikah Pelantikan Majlis konsultasi Perpaduan Nasional, di sini.
Penubuhan Majlis Konsultasi Perpaduan Negara (MKPN) adalah bagi menyediakan pelan bertindak cadangan penyatuan nasional dilihat sesuatu yang boleh direalisasikan.
Panel tersebut memainkan peranan dalam mengesyorkan cadangan penyatuan nasional kepada kerajaan sebelum dibincangkan di peringkat kabinet.
Anggota MKPN dibarisi 30 tokoh masyarakat, ahli akademik, pemikir, wakil pertubuhan bukan kerajaan selain ahli politik daripada Barisan Nasional (BN) dan pembangkang.
Antaranya Datuk Dr Mujahidin Yusof Rawa, Datuk Saifudin Abdullah, Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye dan Anas Zubedy.
Five groups to work on unity - The STAR
PETALING JAYA: Five working groups will be set up to address various unity-related issues when the National Unity Consultative Council members meet for the first time next month.
Its president Tan Sri Samsudin Osman said that the working groups comprise legal and the promotion of national harmonious policies, national building and cross-cultural understanding, inclusive development, youth and unity, and national integration.
“The members in the council are made up of a diverse group, with people of various backgrounds and age groups who are rich in experience,” he said yesterday.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced the launch of the council on Monday to replace the National Unity Advisory Panel which ceased to function after the Emergency Ordinance was abolished.
Samsudin said that a lot of work had been done by the Prime Minister’s Department in collaboration with Institut Kajian Etnik of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and the council would work closely with them.
On critics doubting the council would have enough bite to carry through its recommendations, Samsudin said: “We are hopeful. The PM (Prime Minister) has given his assurance.
“The recommendations will be looked at by the Cabinet. We need to come up with policies that are pragmatic and can be implemented.”
Council member Associate Prof Dr Madeline Berma from the UKM’s Tun Fatimah Hashim Women’s Leadership Centre said she was glad the Government was putting a serious effort in uniting the various ethnic groups.
“I hope the work we do is not confined to consultative efforts. We want action,” said Dr Madeline, an Iban from Sarawak.
Another council member Audrey Goh, a life member of the Sarawak Federation of Women’s Institute said she saw her role in the council as a “bridge builder”.
She said she would use skills of advocacy and inquiry to engage and enlighten the community on unity and encourage participation and “bridge building” initiatives.
Another council member Zubedy (M) Sdn Bhd managing director Anas Zubedy said it was important for the council to create “bridge builders”, including people or system processes that bring people together.
Give peace a chance.I do hope the Majlis will find a solution that we're hoping for.
ReplyDeleteLet it not be for show. This NUCC has very serious work to do and needs to PUSH through its recommendations very aggressively.
ReplyDeleteEverything in Malaysia gets "shelved" or flip-flopped on.
Hope that's not the NUCC's fate.