MELAKA (Sept 23): Melaka will host Musyawarah Nasional 3.0 at the Melaka International Trade Centre (MITC) in Ayer Keroh on Saturday, Sept 26, with about 10,000 participants expected to attend.

State senior executive councillor for housing, local government, drainage, climate change and disaster management Datuk Rais Yasin said the event, themed Membongkar Polemik Tanah Melayu (Unravelling the Polemics of Malaya), will begin at 8.30am. 

He said Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh are expected to attend, while constitutional and public law expert Associate Professor Datuk Dr Shamrahayu A. Aziz and language and national unity expert Emeritus Professor Datuk Dr Teo Kok Seong are among the panellists.

“Melaka was chosen to host Musyawarah Nasional 3.0 because of its strong historical significance. The state was an important centre for the development of politics, trade, language, culture and Malay civilisation in the Malay world.

“The declaration on the independence of the Federation of Malaya by Tunku Abdul Rahman on Feb 20, 1956, was also made at Padang Banda Hilir, making Melaka an appropriate venue to discuss the history of Malaya,” Rais told reporters after appearing as a guest on MELAKAfm’s “Kokenut Shake Dulu” programme here on Wednesday.

Rais said Musyawarah Nasional 3.0 would provide a platform to discuss the history of Malaya, identity, language, culture, the Federal Constitution and nation-building.

He stressed that the event was not intended to challenge or threaten the position of any ethnic community, adding that non-Malay panellists would also participate in the discussions.

“We have a Constitution that serves as a pillar of harmony in our multiracial society. This national dialogue is intended to foster a culture of consultation by providing space for diverse views, including those of Malay and non-Malay scholars.

“This forum is not about determining who wins or loses an argument. It is a platform to listen, understand and find common ground based on knowledge and facts,” he said.

Rais said the outcome of the dialogue would be documented to help the public better understand history through authoritative sources and encourage greater interest in the subject among younger generations.

Ideas and proposals arising from the discussions could also be developed into research, publications, educational initiatives, youth programmes and follow-up forums, he added.

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