Rais: Social contract must be explained

New Straits Times, 20 March 2009

KUALA LUMPUR: It is not late to rectify the confusion surrounding the essence and meaning of the social contract, which is the basis of the country's foundation.
Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said it was just a question of clearing the air and clarifying the issues to put the matter in the proper perspective.

He said it was the responsibility and duty of parents, elders and intellectuals to correct the confusion.

In reply to questions posed on the programme Dialog@1 on RTM1 on Wednesday night, he said the manner in which the social contract was questioned showed that many had forgotten that the agreement was forged by a multi-ethnic community.

This led to the formation of a federation and eventually Malaysia.
To a question from interviewer, Dr Asyraf Wajdi, Rais said just because the younger generation did not subscribe to the social contract did not mean it was not important.

"Just because they (younger generation) do not remember does not mean that it does not exist."

Rais said the proposals contained in the Reid Commission, which was agreeable to all communities in the run-up to the country's independence in 1957, provided for special rights for the Malays and Islam as the official religion of the federation.

He said the provisions were enshrined in the Federal Constitution.

Rais said the social contract as well as its essence could not be wished away, even if one wanted to do it.