• Research
  • Emissary
  • About
  • Experts
Carnegie Global logoCarnegie lettermark logo
DemocracyIran
  • Donate
{
  "authors": [
    "Muthiah Alagappa"
  ],
  "type": "legacyinthemedia",
  "centerAffiliationAll": "dc",
  "centers": [
    "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace"
  ],
  "collections": [],
  "englishNewsletterAll": "asia",
  "nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
  "primaryCenter": "Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
  "programAffiliation": "AP",
  "programs": [
    "Asia"
  ],
  "projects": [],
  "regions": [
    "Southeast Asia"
  ],
  "topics": [
    "Political Reform",
    "Democracy"
  ]
}

Source: Getty

In The Media

Building a United, Cohesive Nation Through NCC2

Building a cohesive nation and developing an effective state are long-term processes that may take several decades, if not centuries.

Link Copied
By Muthiah Alagappa
Published on Nov 14, 2016
Program mobile hero image

Program

Asia

The Asia Program in Washington studies disruptive security, governance, and technological risks that threaten peace, growth, and opportunity in the Asia-Pacific region, including a focus on China, Japan, and the Korean peninsula.

Learn More

Source: Edge Malaysia

Prominent banker Datuk Nazir Razak has again articulated the need for a second National Consultative Council (NCC2). This call has been supported by a number of political parties, including certain parties within the governing Barisan Nasional and senior politicians Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz, who was the former minister of international trade and industry.

I strongly endorse the need for NCC2 and future NCCs as they become necessary for Malaysia to become a cohesive nation and an effective state. Building a cohesive nation and developing an effective state are long-term processes that may take several decades, if not centuries….

Read Full Text

This piece was originally published in the Edge Malaysia. It was published with a mistake; the original says ‘On nation-building, my view is that measures should be instituted to strengthen democracy in the country …’. It should say ‘On state-building, my view is that measures should be instituted to strengthen democracy in the country …’

About the Author

Muthiah Alagappa

Former Nonresident Senior Fellow, Asia Program

Alagappa, formerly a nonresident senior fellow in the Asia Program, was the first holder of the Tun Hussein Onn Chair in international studies at the Institute of Strategic and International Studies in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. His research focuses primarily on Asian security, the political legitimacy of governments, civil society and political change, and the political role of the military in Asia.

    Recent Work

  • Article
    Obama’s Golden Opportunity in Malaysia

      Muthiah Alagappa

  • In The Media
    Developing a Strategic Relationship with China

      Muthiah Alagappa

Muthiah Alagappa
Former Nonresident Senior Fellow, Asia Program
Muthiah Alagappa
Political ReformDemocracySoutheast Asia

Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

More Work from Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

  • Commentary
    President Lee Jae Myung: A Year in Power

    President Lee marked his first year in office after one of the most tumultuous periods in South Korean politics. Though Lee has enjoyed a high approval rating, a large majority in the National Assembly, and foreign policy victories, Lee and his party’s political fortunes depend on generating economic growth, learning the right lessons from the recent local elections, and managing contentious factional strife within his political base.

      Chung Min Lee

  • Paper
    Loyal but Powerless: The Downgrading of Russia’s Elite

    The ruling elites in contemporary Russia are not a political class, but a community of managers who are not subject to competition or public accountability. The state is becoming an operating apparatus without any internal autonomy.

      Alexandra Prokopenko

  • Article
    China Is Building New Financial Architecture for Clean Energy Tech. It May Come with Conditions.

    China’s central bank swap lines could help developing world leaders drive their energy transition—if they harness conditionality to protect their interests.

      Ebipere K. Clark

  • Commentary
    Carnegie Politika
    What Does Pashinyan’s Parliamentary Victory Mean for Armenia’s Future?

    Pashinyan’s pro-European party has been re-elected with a decisive victory. But the pro-Russian opposition could still slow Armenia’s progress toward peace with Azerbaijan and rapprochement with Europe.

      Mikayel Zolyan

  • Book
    From Sovereigns to Servants. How the War Against Ukraine Reshaped Russia’s Elite

    How did Putin co-opt Russia’s political and economic elites, ensuring no more than fitful resistance to the regime’s war on Ukraine?

      Alexandra Prokopenko

Get more news and analysis from
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
Carnegie global logo, stacked
1779 Massachusetts Avenue NWWashington, DC, 20036-2103Phone: 202 483 7600
  • Research
  • Emissary
  • About
  • Experts
  • Donate
  • Programs
  • Events
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts
  • Contact
  • Annual Reports
  • Careers
  • Privacy
  • For Media
  • Government Resources
Get more news and analysis from
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
© 2026 Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. All rights reserved.