A philosophy built on solidarity

Kamarul Ariffin was appointed as a member of Mapen in January 1970. It was Mapen’s efforts to reunite Malaysia’s multi-racial society that led to the formation of the Rukun Negara. — Bernama

The Rukun Negara philosophy was created by taking into account the views of various parties, including representatives from different races, political parties, professionals and academicians, as it was the basis for national unity and solidarity, according to Tan Sri Kamarul Ariffin Mohamed Yassin, who was appointed as a member of the National Consultative Council (Mapen) in January 1970.

The former Bank Bumiputera chairman, who was also the legal adviser to the Alliance Party and to the first prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, said the ordeal the country went through following the May 13,1969 racial riots prompted the government to seek a crucial formula to unite its people.