In expressing agreement with Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar on the need for a uniformed education system, prominent banker Nazir Razak rekindled his earlier suggestion for another National Consultative Council.
The first council, headed by his late father Abdul Razak Hussein, was formed in the aftermath of the 1969 race riots.
In an Instagram posting, the CIMB bank chairperson said forming another consultative council would help rest the nation's long-term course based on the needs and aspirations of the current generation of Malaysians, which are vastly different from the needs and aspirations of the first consultative council generation.
Earlier, Nazir, who is the brother of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, said while the sultan raised a critical issue which warranted consideration, it however is also a sensitive subject.
"Education is about both developing quality talent and uniting communities.
"But I think it has to be discussed together with other critical issues like needs based affirmative action versus NEP, Islamic state versus our secular constitution, rebuilding trust in our institutions, imbuing moderation in politics and society and so on," he added.
Nazir had made a similar call last year, emphasising on the need for a consultative council to chart a new future for the nation with a much needed social and economic re-engineering plan.
"To borrow a leaf from history, let us once again bring together the best and brightest of Malaysians to huddle and deliberate our options," he had said.
However, he also noted that critics would consider some of his views as unsuitable and will look for 1,001 motives behind his suggestion for a NCC.
Yesterday, Sultan Ibrahim said schools being separated according to race is the reason behind racial unity not being fully realised.
Citing a Malay proverb "melentur buluh biarlah dari rebung" (start cultivating values at a young age), the sultan was of the opinion that the young should be mixed in a unified education system.
"They cannot be separated according to race or religion. This basic education is very important to inculcate values and cultures in a multiracial society," added the ruler during a meeting with leaders from various Chinese associations in Johor Baru.
