PUTRAJAYA: Malaysians abroad have expressed their aspirations for the nation in 2050, emphasising the need to embrace a national identity while preserving the various cultures in the country’s multi-ethnic fabric.
During the 2050 National Transformation Dialogue session held for Malaysians residing in the Philippines yesterday, participants also stressed the importance of having an inclusive national programme and policies not based on racial division.
In a statement today, the Foreign Ministry said issues of environmental conservation, improvement of rural healthcare facilities, transparent media reporting as well as balanced and positive family development were also raised as key features to be included in the new transformation programme.
Chaired by Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman, the dialogue session in Manila was the second held with Malaysians abroad.
The first session was held in London on July 7.
The Philippine session was conducted in the spirit of TN50’s ‘bottom-up’ approach, which calls for broad-based and inclusive engagement, the statement read.
"The session was warmly received and attended by more than 70 Malaysians currently residing in the Philippines.
"Participants engaged in a robust discussion and shared their aspirations for Malaysia’s future," it added.
The ministry said it is also jointly organising a TN50 photo contest, themed “My Aspiration, My Future” with the Economic Planning Unit (EPU).
"The contest, which is open to all Malaysian nationals currently residing overseas runs from July 7 to Sept 30 next month.
"It is aimed at encouraging Malaysians abroad to express their aspirations for Malaysia in 2050 by sharing their photos on Instagram and Twitter," it added.
The TN50 dialogues are part of an initiative under the National Blue Ocean Strategy (NBOS), for which the Foreign Minister has been appointed as the Segment Leader to spearhead TN50 engagements with the Malaysian diaspora.
"(The sessions are) crucial in realising the general goal to become a top 20 country in the world by the year 2050, and underscores the belief that building the future of Malaysia is a responsibility shared by all Malaysians," the statement added.