KUALA LUMPUR: The TN50 town hall session is the clearest indication yet of the new paradigm that the era of “the government knows best” is over.
The challenge, say experts, has now shifted towards finding a major common denominator to build a Malaysian identity and a sense of belonging 33 years from now.
Universiti Utara Malaysia director of Asian Research Institute of Banking and Finance, Dr Irwan Shah Zainal Abidin, said the session signified a great start for a great vision for Malaysia in 2050.
“It seems clear to me that what transpired in the dialogue serves as an aspiration for Malaysia, to look at development beyond mere growth figures,” he said of the event, which took place at the Dewan Tunku Canselor in Universiti Malaya, tonight.
Asked on his personal aspiration, Irwan Shah said it would be for Malaysia to look into development in terms of the wellbeing and happiness of all Malaysians.
“The prime minister (Datuk Seri Najib Razak) mentioned his wish for Malaysia to be among the top 20 nations in the world by 2050.
“In this regard, I would like to see Malaysia at the top 20 in the United Nations (UN) World Happiness Report by the year 2050,” he said.
Source: NST
