Clear plan needed to achieve greater form of Malay civilisation - Constitutional Expert

KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia, ahead of a century of independence in 2057, needs not only a clear plan towards achieving a greater form of Malay civilisation, but one that also celebrates diversity and racial unity.

Constitutional expert, Assoc Prof Datuk Dr Shamrahayu Ab Aziz in proposing the plan to be called "Gagasan 100 Tahun Malaysia Merdeka”, said it should be implemented to deal with present and future challenges.

"We need to work on this idea because 100 years is a benchmark to measure the nation’s performance in achieving its ideal as a civilisation.

"For Gagasan 100 Tahun Malaysia Merdeka (#G100MM), I have placed priority on the identity of the country and the races by paying attention to several areas that need to be worked on in terms of community building, giving the community the opportunity to improve and empower themselves accordingly," she said in her keynote speech at the Malay Civilisation Board (ADAB) 13th Annual General Meeting here today.

Shamrahayu, who is also a law lecturer at International Islamic University Malaysia, said that among the things that need to be worked on through the idea is prioritising teaching and learning on the history of the race and religion at various levels of education.

The effort is not just about strengthening understanding of the country's history, race and Islam only, but the need to make race and religion as a way of life and as a national culture

"We also need to invite those of other religions to return to religious education that is compatible with their faith without threatening the position of Islam as the religion of the country," she said.

In addition, Shamrahayu said education or the art of parenting in shaping individuals and families who care about religion in their daily life should be the national agenda.

She said through the effort it is necessary to strengthen and implement policies that are related to the family such as the National Family Policy which supports the National Social Policy, the National Women's Policy, the National Children's Policy and the National Youth Policy.

In the legal aspect, Shamrahayu said the enactment of laws should be in line with religious values because among the main sources of law are customs and religion.

”As such, legislators should not, on the basis of modernity or political interests, completely ignore or forget their religious fundamentals when involved in enacting laws," she said. - BERNAMA