ARAU, May 12 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of National Unity has raised the agenda of building a nation-state as the main focus for the short and long term starting this year.
Minister of National Unity Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang said that the nation-state is very important for Malaysia today because it is the foundation for peace, unity, stability and harmony of a plural society.
"The ministry, through a series of engagements with academic and historical experts, has set the definition of a nation-state as follows: "A sovereign country whose citizens have a national identity and share common values based on the Federal Constitution and the Rukun Negara," he said.
Aaron said this when speaking at the opening ceremony of the National History Convention 2026: Together Building a Nation-State at Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP) here today, which was officiated by the Raja Muda of Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail.
Also present was the Raja Puan Muda of Perlis Tuanku Dr Hajah Lailatul Shahreen Akashah Khalil.
Aaron said that to ensure that the aspirations of the Nation-State truly reach the people and are accepted by all parties, his ministry will continue to implement several engagement sessions, roundtable discussions, townhall sessions and a national conference.
“... organising the National Conference which will ultimately produce a National Blueprint for reference by all parties, especially government agencies in making new policies or initiatives,” he said.
The Minister of National Unity said Malaysia is a country that stands majestically on the basis of diversity with more than 200 ethnicities, rich in identity, language, culture, uniqueness in food as well as dance and music.
He said that diversity is not just a social reality but is the main strength that shapes the face of Malaysia as a unique country on the world stage, but managing this diversity is not easy.
Aaron said it requires understanding, respect and continuous acceptance from all parties to ensure that harmony is maintained.
"In today's increasingly challenging global reality involving ideological differences, the influence of social media, identity politics and the pressures of globalisation, nation-building plays a very important role. It is the basis for uniting the people through a shared national identity, without denying the diversity of races, religions and cultures," he said.
The two-day convention, which began today, brought together researchers and practitioners of history to share discoveries, views and scholarly discourse that can enrich the country's historical narrative.
-- BERNAMA
