Rukun Negara Should Be Strengthened To Reflect Current Realities - Experts

PUTRAJAYA, Nov 4 (Bernama) -- Experts said the Rukun Negara preamble should be reviewed and adapted to reflect contemporary developments so its nation-building aspirations remain relevant and meaningful to today's generation, while retaining its founding philosophy and principles.

The two academics said the move was necessary to restore public appreciation of the Rukun Negara by ensuring people understood not only its words but also the history behind its formation, its aspirations, and its role in shaping the country's identity and direction.

Constitutional and Public Law expert Associate Professor Datuk Dr Shamrahayu Ab Aziz said changes in the economic, social, cultural and technological landscape since the Rukun Negara was proclaimed on Aug 31, 1970, warranted a reassessment of how the nation's aspirations aligned with present-day realities.

“The Rukun Negara sets out five national aspirations, namely fostering closer unity, maintaining a democratic way of life, establishing a just society, embracing a liberal approach to the diversity of cultural traditions, and developing a progressive society founded on modern science and technology.

“These aspirations must be realised in accordance with the five principles of the Rukun Negara, which provide a foundation for building a harmonious, fair and progressive nation,” said Shamrahayu, a lecturer at the Ahmad Ibrahim Kulliyyah of Laws, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM).

She said findings from the 2025 National Unity Index Report pointed to stronger unity among Malaysians, but highlighted areas for improvement, particularly in social relations across ethnic groups and the cultivation of inclusive national values.

She said consideration could be given to revising certain statements in the national aspirations, including using more accessible language to explain the concept of liberalism in relation to cultural diversity and reinforcing the goal of developing a competitive and innovative progressive society.

Shamrahayu also proposed developing a Rukun Negara Explanatory Document as a supplementary reference to clarify the history, meaning and interpretation of each national aspiration in the context of current realities, as well as reviewing its language with input from experts at Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP).

Meanwhile, Associate Professor Dr Mohd Samsudin, director of the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Academic Heritage Museum, said the Rukun Negara preamble played an important role in setting out Malaysia's vision and aspirations for nation-building.

“The preamble and five principles of the Rukun Negara should be understood as interconnected elements that complement one another.

“Appreciation of the Rukun Negara should not be limited to memorising and reciting its five principles, but must also involve understanding its origins, the aspirations outlined in its preamble and its role in shaping the nation's identity and future,” he said.

Mohd, a senior lecturer at UKM's Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, said the language used in the preamble should be reviewed, but any changes must be minimal and carefully considered, with emphasis on grammar, sentence structure and the use of standard and accessible terminology while preserving its original meaning.

“This effort also requires careful consideration by experts in linguistics, constitutional affairs, history and nation-building to ensure the accuracy and authenticity of its original meaning are maintained,” he said.

Both academics agreed that efforts to strengthen the Rukun Negara preamble were not intended to create a new document or disregard its founding history, but to ensure that its national philosophy remained relevant as a shared guide towards building a united, harmonious and progressive society.

-- BERNAMA