Independent body, commission should lead TN50 discourse - IDEAS

The national discourse for the National Transformation 2050 (TN50) should be led by an independent body or commission, said Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) President Tunku Zain al-Abidin Tuanku Muhriz.

He said the government must not allow TN50 to be perceived as a partisan agenda but as a national agenda that cuts across race, religion and most importantly the political divide.

"It might inspire more confidence if the process was not lead by any government related entities," he said when delivering his speech at IDEAS' 7th Anniversary Dinner which also commemorates Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra al-Haj's 114th Birthday here, last night.

TN50, which was mooted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, is a futuristic policy to map the direction of the nation in the next 30 years after 2020.

Tunku Zain said although it was important to gather inputs and suggestions from the younger generation to shape up TN50, it must also be truly inclusive.

He said youthful enthusiasm must be coupled with experience and wisdom from those who have endured real life challenges.

"It is right to focus on the younger generation and to take bottom up approach but we must also respond to everyone in the national conversation," he said. - Bernama