16.3 – Working with government

16.3.4 – Neutral platform to discuss issues

In Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), the UKM Persada Canselori serves as a neutral platform and ‘safe’ space where various political stakeholders can engage in open dialogue and deliberation on pressing issues. This role is integral to UKM’s mission as an institution committed to fostering national unity, knowledge exchange, and addressing societal challenges. Here’s a deeper look into how it functions in this capacity:

1. Neutral Ground for Discussion
   
   • Non-partisan Environment: Persada Canselori is designed to be an apolitical, inclusive venue where different political actors, from across the ideological spectrum, can engage without the pressures of partisanship. This neutrality fosters honest and candid discussions, as participants are assured that their perspectives will be heard without bias.
   • Facilitating Constructive Dialogue: By ensuring impartiality, UKM can host discussions on sensitive or controversial topics, such as political reform, governance challenges, or social policies, in a way that promotes understanding and collaboration, rather than confrontation.

2. Safe Space for Frank Conversations
   
   • Confidentiality and Respect: Persada Canselori offers an environment where political figures can openly discuss challenges facing the nation without fear of backlash, media scrutiny, or political repercussions. This encourages transparency and promotes the sharing of candid insights and critiques.
   • Bridging Differences: The ‘safe space’ aspect is vital in fostering dialogue between opposing political factions, NGOs, and civil society. The platform is known for bringing together diverse perspectives, facilitating the bridging of differences, and encouraging joint solutions to national issues.

3. Focus on Policy Solutions
   
   • Emphasis on Practical Outcomes: Discussions at Persada Canselori often center around finding practical solutions to complex policy challenges. Rather than merely debating ideological differences, the platform encourages stakeholders to move toward consensus-building and cooperative policy-making.
   • Academic Backing: As part of UKM, the Persada Canselori benefits from the university’s intellectual and academic resources, which help ground political discussions in research, data, and evidence-based approaches.

4. Historical Role in National Dialogue
   
   • Prominent Meetings: Over the years, UKM has hosted key discussions on important national issues at Persada Canselori, including those relating to social justice, national unity, and political reform. These meetings have involved not only politicians but also academics, civil society leaders, and students, ensuring a broad representation of voices.
   • Crisis Mediation: In times of political tension or national crises, Persada Canselori has served as a venue where different parties can come together to de-escalate tensions and work towards peaceful resolutions.

In 2023, UKM Persada Canselori hosted several programs that provided a neutral and safe space for political stakeholders to engage in discussions on critical national and social issues. Notable among them were:

1. Wacana MADANI Series: This series of discussions centered around the “Malaysia MADANI” agenda, tackling various themes such as national unity, economic prosperity, and youth empowerment. The series brought together experts from academia, government, and civil society to explore how the MADANI framework could shape Malaysia’s future development​
   Link : https://www.ukm.my/strategi-ukm/madani-ukm/

Poster of Wacana Madani Series that organized at UKM Persada Canselori

2. The UKM Sustainability Exploration Programme is an initiative by UKM-Strategy Center aimed at promoting sustainability awareness and practices within the university community. The 2023 edition of this program, known as Jelajah Alam Taman Ilmu (JATI), was held on July 18, 2023, at Persada Canselori, Level 2, Chancellery Building, UKM. 
   
   The program’s objectives include:
   • Enhancing Environmental Awareness: Educating participants on the importance of environmental conservation and sustainable practices.
   • Promoting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Aligning activities with the United Nations’ SDGs to foster a holistic approach to sustainability.
   • Encouraging Community Engagement: Involving students, staff, and external stakeholders in sustainability initiatives to build a collaborative community.
     
     Activities during the program encompassed workshops, seminars, and hands-on projects focusing on various aspects of sustainability, such as energy efficiency, waste management, and biodiversity conservation. These activities were designed to provide practical knowledge and skills, empowering participants to implement sustainable practices in their daily lives and future careers.

UKM Sustainability Exploration Programme

3. ​Bicara IDEA Series 1, titled “Conflict Between Syariah and Civil Law: Is the Syariah Criminal Code Law in Malaysia Under Threat?” was held at Persada Canselori, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).
   
   The program featured two main panelists:
   • Dato’ Abas Nordin: Judge at the Syariah Court of Appeal, Department of Syariah Judiciary, Negeri Sembilan
   • Tuan Musa Awang: President of the Syariah Lawyers Association of Malaysia

Bicara IDEA Series 1 that held at Persada Canselori

4. Bicara IDEA Series 2 titled “60 Years of Malaysia’s Establishment: Challenges in Nation-Building” was held on December 21, 2023, at Persada Canselori, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). This program was organized by UKM’s IDEA Center in collaboration with the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation).
   
   The session was moderated by YBrs. Tuan Sayed Munawar Sayed Mohd Mustar and featured three distinguished panelists:
   • YBhg. Prof. Ulung Datuk Dr. Shamsul Amri Baharuddin: Director of the Institute of Ethnic Studies (KITA), UKM
   • YBhg. Prof. Emeritus Dato’ Dr. Teo Kok Seong: Fellow at the Institute of Ethnic Studies (KITA), UKM
   • YBhg. Prof. Datuk Dr. Madeline Berma: Fellow at the Academy of Sciences Malaysia
     
     The discussion highlighted the challenges Malaysia has faced in building a cohesive nation over six decades, with a focus on ethnic, social, and economic aspects. The program aimed to analyze the progress and obstacles encountered in efforts to shape a strong and harmonious national identity.
     

Bicara IDEA Series 2 titled 60 Years of Malaysia’s Establishment: Challenges in Nation-Building

5. Kesatuan Mahasiswa Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (KMUKM) Leadership Ceremony: While more focused on student leadership, this event at Persada Canselori emphasized collaboration and cooperation among student leaders to resolve campus issues. The program reinforced UKM’s role as a space where different voices, including political stakeholders, can engage in constructive dialogue​
   Link : https://www.ukm.my/beritaukm/41-barisan-kepimpinan-kmukm-sesi-2023-2024-lafaz-ikrar/ 

6. On October 5, 2023, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) celebrated the UKM Academia Month 2023 at Persada Canselori, UKM Bangi. This event was held in conjunction with Academia Day, celebrated annually on October 5, with this year’s theme being “Academia Driving Malaysia Madani.”
   
   The event aimed to recognize and appreciate the contributions and roles of academics in advancing higher education and national development. As part of the celebration, a Professional Learning Discourse was organized, providing a platform for knowledge-sharing and discussion among UKM academics.
   
   This event was organized by the UKM Academic Staff Association (PKAUKM) in collaboration with various departments and faculties at UKM. It underscored the university’s commitment to promoting a culture of academic excellence and continuous learning

These programs illustrate how UKM Persada Canselori fosters an open environment for political and social discussions that contribute to national development and policy-making.

Conclusion

UKM’s Persada Canselori is more than just a meeting space—it’s a strategic forum for political reconciliation, dialogue, and progress. By offering a neutral and safe environment for open discussion, it helps build mutual trust among stakeholders, ultimately contributing to more robust and inclusive policy-making that benefits the wider Malaysian society.