Understanding Rukun Negara Important To Strengthen Racial Harmony - Amirudin

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 29 (Bernama) -- A better understanding of the Rukun Negara is important to strengthen racial harmony and prevent identity politics from creating tension in society, Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said.

He said merely memorising its five principles without understanding their objectives could cause Malaysians to miss the values they were meant to promote, particularly unity.

He added that this was important to ensure political and religious differences were not exploited to stir racial sentiment or other emotionally charged issues.

“I am confident that a better understanding of the Rukun Negara, including its objectives, can help foster unity and reject identity politics that could cause unrest in our multiracial society.

“For example, the principle of Belief in God relates to religion. But when we understand that diverse religious beliefs should promote unity and respect differences, it becomes a complete document,” he told reporters after officiating the MADANI Kita Bersama Komuniti Ampang Jaya programme here today.

Amirudin also clarified that including the Rukun Negara preamble and objectives in readings at official events was not intended to change its original principles, as claimed by certain quarters.

Instead, he said, the move was aimed at reviving awareness of the values and objectives behind the Rukun Negara.

“Some people criticised the introduction of the Rukun Negara preamble or its objectives in the readings, claiming that the government was changing the Rukun Negara. That is not the case. We are simply bringing back the objectives of the Rukun Negara that have been forgotten.

“Behind these principles, the first objective emphasised is unity among the people, who come from different races,” he said.

Also present at the event were Deputy National Unity Minister Yuneswaran Ramaraj, Lembah Jaya assemblyman Syed Ahmad Abdul Rahman Alhadad and Bukit Antarabangsa assemblyman Mohd Kamri Kamaruddin.

-- BERNAMA