Kuala lumpur: Musyawarah Nasional should be formally institutionalised to ensure it does not remain merely a seasonal programme, but instead evolves into a practical, professional, and accountable body capable of uniting political parties without compromising their respective ideologies. Its Political Pillar chairman, Prof Dr Zainal Abidin Sanusi, emphasized the necessity of this transformation in light of the country's multipolar political landscape, which lacks a single dominant party.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Zainal Abidin highlighted the importance of engaging in dialogue for the national agenda, despite ideological differences among political parties. He suggested that an institutionalised musyawarah could serve as a platform for identifying common ground without undermining each party's principles. He proposed the establishment of Musyawarah Nasional as a formal body, which could be a society, association, or another entity, providing continuous space for discussion and action.

Zainal Abidin, who is also the director of the Centre for Wellbeing, Sustainability and Humanity at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), noted that previous initiatives like seminars and workshops were less effective due to lack of continuity and failure to translate discussions into policy action. He stressed the importance of formally establishing Musyawarah Nasional to elevate proposals to the implementation stage and involve a diverse range of stakeholders, including politicians, academics, NGOs, industry players, and youth groups.

He emphasized that the platform should not be seen as elitist or influenced by any political party to preserve public trust and credibility. Zainal Abidin pointed out that the involvement of all political parties is crucial, but academics should also play a direct role in decision-making and implementation to avoid dominance by politicians.

Zainal Abidin suggested that frameworks such as the Federal Constitution should guide discussions to prevent racial misunderstandings and ensure accountability among stakeholders. He noted that public trust has eroded due to rhetoric without results, underscoring the need for mechanisms that translate ideas into action.

The Musyawarah Nasional scheduled for this Sunday in Kuala Lumpur will see proposals from the Political Pillar, including constitutional education for Malaysians to understand their rights. Musyawarah Nasional was announced by its founder, Deputy Prime Minister and UMNO president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, during the UMNO General Assembly 2025, with five key pillars focusing on religion, politics, economy, education, and social aspects to shape the strategic direction of the Malay community and the nation's future.