‘Teach Rukun Negara as early as pre-school level’

Saraswathy (standing fifth from right) with National Archives director-general Datuk Jaafar Sidek Abdul Rahman (to her right) at the Rukun Negara mural competition prize-giving ceremony in Putrajaya. — Photos: Bernama

Deputy minister calls on people to play their part in fostering unity

AN appreciation of the Rukun Negara should be introduced as early as pre-school level, such as at Tabika Perpaduan, and encouraged further at higher education levels.

Deputy National Unity Minister Saraswathy Kandasami said National Unity Ministry had drawn up various plans to enhance community understanding of Rukun Negara principles.

The plans involved collaborations with Education Ministry, Higher Education Ministry and Communications Ministry as well as non-governmental organisations, she said.

“The government and people must play their respective roles in fostering national unity by embracing and promoting unity in diversity, reflecting the multicultural and multi-religious reality of Malaysia.

“Apart from that, the government and people must work together to support and defend the Federal Constitution as it embodies the social contract upon which this country was founded, and ensures the protection of the rights of all citizens,” said Saraswathy.

SMK Putrajaya Presint 5 (1) students and teachers with their first-prize rewards.

She was speaking at the prize presentation of the Federal Territory Rukun Negara Mural Painting Competition and launch of Arkib@Sekolah programme in Putrajaya, as reported by Bernama.

Saraswathy said National Unity Ministry, through the National Unity Advisory Council, had approved the development of the Rukun Negara Appreciation Module and its implementation.

The Rukun Negara, officially declared on Aug 31, 1970, was created to foster stronger unity among Malaysians following the tragic events of May 13, 1969 and subsequent days.

The mural competition is one of the unity ministry’s joint effort with the National Archives of Malaysia, aimed at strengthening patriotism and appreciation of Rukun Negara tenets as well as the nation’s history, culture and heritage.

The competition, which started in May, was open to secondary schools in the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya.

SMK Putrajaya Presint 5 (1) won first prize, while runner-up was SMK Maxwell Kuala Lumpur and SMK Putrajaya Presint 14 (1) placed third.

SMK St Anthony in Labuan came in fourth while SMK St Gabriel Kuala Lumpur won the fifth prize.