The Centre for Media and Information Warfare Studies (CMIWS) is inviting scholars and thinkers for a Round table Conference on the Future of Malaysia. CMIWS Director, Prof Rajib Abdul Ghani said despite celebrating 51 years of independence, things which have been holding Malaysia together as a democratic united nation-state are perceived to be falling apart.
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"Some say that the centre is cracking and giving way and Malaysia cannot afford, under any circumstances, to disappoint the founders' democratic idealism espoused in the Declaration of Malayan Independence," said Rajib.
"Malaysians of today have to reaffirm their faith in the constitution and tenets of rule of law. Democracy in a state begins to lose its vitality when men and women of wisdom and in position shirk their responsibility in being vigilant. Growth of a nation-state is absolutely dependent on the inflow of new thoughts and philosophies," he added.
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The one day round table conference is aimed at finding ways and means to build a more democratic, just, equitable and united nation-state of Malaysia. The CMIWS is inviting 40 leading thinkers and scholars to participate in the conference.
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Participants are expected to send in their thoughts on the existing political, socio-economic vulnerablities and the approaches that ought to be taken to strengthen democratic values and institutions in Malaysia. CMIWS hopes to use the Malaysian constitution and persepts of rule of law as the basis for the conference's deliberations and findings.
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The conference, to be held in Concorde Hotel in Shah Alam on Nov 10, will feature several topics such as "Are the basic structural features of democratic Malaysia weakening?", and several discussions to strengthen democracy in Malaysia. The length of the article from each participant shall be about 2,000 words although lengthier ones are more than welcome.
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All entries should be in by Oct 15. The CMIWS will pack the entries into a booklet for distribution to the participants by Oct 22. For details, call 03-55255325 or 03-55225568.
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