KUALA LUMPUR: Seri Kembangan assemblyman Wong Siew Ki and former Sungai Pelek assemblyman Ronnie Liu responded to Selangor Ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah's message on the Rukun Negara, affirming that it is important to understand the true spirit of its principles.
Wong said it was fitting to uphold the Selangor Ruler's words.
Citing the Rukun Negara, Wong said, “Belief in God, Loyalty to the King and Country, Supremacy of the Constitution, Rule of Law and Courtesy and Morality” guides her as she serves the people.
"As a representative of the people, the principles of the Rukun Negara have always been my guide, inspiration and main foundation in carrying out my mandate and serving the people.
"I deeply respect and always adhere to these principles in every action I take to prioritise the interests of the people of Selangor and Malaysia," she said in a post on his official Facebook page on Wednesday (May 20).
Liu also responded on his Facebook page, stating that in a political and social atmosphere increasingly filled with emotion and division, all politicians need to regain their understanding of the true spirit of the Rukun Negara.
Sharing a link to his interview with Sinar Harian, Liu told the portal that the five principles of the Rukun Negara cannot be understood selectively but need to be understood comprehensively as the foundation of the country's political culture.
"In my opinion, the Sultan of Selangor (Sultan Sharafuddin) has ordered politicians to visit Dataran Selangor twice a month to reach out to the people and re-evaluate the Rukun Negara, not just as a symbolic activity or a mere formality.
"It carries a deeper message about the importance of returning to the basics of nation-building.
"The main problem Malaysia is facing at the moment is not just political competition but a political culture that is extreme and attacking each other, moving away from the original spirit of nation-building," he told the portal.
Liu said the new era of politics should no longer be built on hatred, emotion and division, but rather on maturity, rationality and respect for the sake of national stability.
On Tuesday (May 19), it was reported that Sultan Sharafuddin said that both assemblymen (Wong and Liu) should visit Dataran Selangor once a week.
“Specifically directed to Seri Kembangan representative YB Wong Siew Ki from DAP and former Selangor DAP exco Ronnie Liu Tian Khiew, I suggest that they come once a week to Dataran Selangor to understand and appreciate the meaning of the Rukun Negara, so that they become citizens who know how to respect the sovereignty of the Royal Institution and uphold courtesy and decency,” the Sultan said.
His Royal Highness also encouraged all state assemblymen to visit Dataran Selangor twice a month to read the Rukun Negara inscribed on a plaque at the square.
In a separate video posted on Wednesday, Liu was seen visiting the same plaque.
