KJ suggests new social contract to 'hard reboot' the country

Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin yesterday suggested that a new social contract be drawn to allow Malaysians to do a ‘hard reboot' of the country.

"Such a move will also allow Malaysians to reshape the basis of their union and better reflect the challenges of today’s generation.

"I am not advocating constitutional amendments but for us to revisit and rewrite our social contract," he said when closing the Association of Voices of Peace, Conscience and Reason (PCORE) - Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute (ASLI) Forum 2013, entitled 'Unity and Multiculturalism: Building A Future Together', at the Institute of Integrity, here, yesterday.

He said when the social contract was made in the 1950s, there was understanding between the Malays, Chinese and Indians but it had changed over time.

"I suggest that we revisit the social contract not to throw out what we have but to find new understanding as there are too many sensitive issues involving religion and race."

He said a consultative council involving all races should be formed to discuss efforts to renew the spirit of the social contract .

"I am not saying that we forget the past but we need new commitment. How we can enhance unity by making radical changes to the education system to foster integration.

"The term social contract was due to compromise of the Malays, Chinese and Indians regarding collective and individual rights, the special position and the agreement between the Malay rulers and the British to create a monarchy with a democratic system, federated and not theocratic."

Khairy said the consultative council should involve all pertinent stakeholders to form the basis of a new agreement.

"Political parties will be invited but they will not be the focus of the social contract, unlike pre-Merdeka.

"If the consultative council can fashion consensus on education, for example, that agreement will be put up to the people for ratification.

"The referendum in this would be for the majority in each ethnic community to be in favour of it; one that would prevent the tyranny of the majority and secure the interest of the minority."