On the other hand, the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) said it should be spearheaded by an independent body or commission, instead of any ministry.

“TN50 must not become or be perceived as a partisan agenda. Unfortunately, there is a lot of apathy and distrust in the motives of our government, even when the government is doing the right thing,” IDEAS president Tunku Zain al-Abidin Tuanku Muhriz told an event to mark the think tank’s anniversary last night.

The dinner event was also held to commemorate the birthday of Malaysia’s founding father and first prime minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman.

Tunku Zain said he welcomed TN50’s focus on the youth, but added that it must be inclusive of all Malaysians.

“The youths have a lot of enthusiasm and energy but this should be coupled with the experience and wisdom of older Malaysians who have had years of experience in dealing with real life challenges.

“That way TN50 will achieve its aims of building a vision for all Malaysians from all walks of life,” he said.

Tunku Zain also warned against making TN50 part of a public relations exercise for the government.

“TN50 must respond to everyone in the national conversation, rather than handpicked audiences and pre-planted questions. Otherwise, it will just become another large and an expensive public relations exercise,” he said.

TN50, announced by Prime Minister Najib Razak during his Budget 2017 last year, is the government’s 30-year transformation plan to set a new “vision” for the nation.

Last month, he kicked off the initiative with a dialogue session with students and members of the public at Universiti Malaya.