Live the spirit of the Rukun Negara

ON Wednesday, the Conference of Rulers called on the new Federal Government to foster the spirit of togetherness among Malaysians, regardless of race or religion.

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s government must support and strengthen the principles of the Rukun Negara, said Tuanku Muhriz Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir, the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan and chairman of the 260th Meeting of the Conference of Rulers.

Who remembers all five of the principles?

Some schools have students recite them during assemblies, but does anyone bother explaining the true meaning of these principles to them?

They are rather unique as not many countries actually spell out national principles like this.

But then, they were born out of a unique solution to a frightening situation: The race riots on May 13, 1969.

Barely more than a decade after achieving independence, our fledgling country was in danger of imploding under racial tension. One of the responses to the crisis was the formation of the Majlis Gerakan Negara, which was tasked with finding ways to move Malaysia forward as a more united country.

These five strong statements were the result, and were declared the country’s official principles on National Day the next year, Aug 31, 1970:

“Belief in God.

“Loyalty to King and Country.

“Supremacy of the Constitution.

“Rule of Law.

“Courtesy and Morality.”

Malaysians need to believe in the spirit of these principles and practise them in our lives, not merely give them lip service or remember them as a long-ago school ritual – or as Tuanku Muhriz put it, the spirit and values of the principles should not be “merely writings in reading materials”.

He also suggested a novel idea: That the Rukun Negara be declared at suitable government functions to “prove that the government is serious in making the Rukun Negara the ... guide for all Malay-sians”.

Echoing the sentiments of his fellow Malay Rulers, Tuanku Muhriz also said, “I urge the new government to instil the spirit of togetherness among Malaysians.

“I hope there are no more leaders who will raise racial or religious issues to provoke the people”.

Indeed, following the fractious 15th General Election, there is no better time to go back to basics and remember the pledge we all made to follow these five principles.

Whether in government or Opposition, whether we support Pakatan Harapan or Perikatan Nasional or any other political party, we must all remember and adhere to the Rukun Negara to heal divisions in Malaysia and unite to face a tough year ahead.