BINTULU: The Ministry of National Unity (MNU) has suggested that all official government programmes organised by each ministry, including agencies and departments, begin with the recitation of the Rukun Negara pledge as an effort to foster a spirit of unity among the people.
Its minister, Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang said his ministry will submit a memorandum to the federal Cabinet regarding the proposal so that it will receive a positive response from it.
According to him, Rukun Negara was formed from the events of May 13, 1969 which was a dark moment in the history of race relations in this country.
“Recollecting why we have the Rukun Negara, it arose after the incident of May 13, 1969, a bloody incident in our country, Malaysia and that is why the Rukun Negara is the basis for all government policies and activities for our country to become more peaceful and harmonious,” he said at Bintulu Division’s Rukun Tetangga (KRT) ‘Ngiling Bidai’ Ceremony held at Dinner World Restaurant, here, on Friday night.
The practice of reciting the Rukun Negara pledge will have a greater influence on Malaysians to appreciate, understand and celebrate diversity in this country.
In the meantime, Aaron reminded that the principles of Rukun Negara are not just to be memorised or recited but must be lived to prevent the events of May 13, 1969 from recurring.
He said, in fact, Rukun Negara is the pillar of unity for all the people as Malaysians.
Rukun Negara was introduced following the events of 13 May 1969 which disrupted ethnic unity in Malaysia as a result of an election campaign that raised sensitive racial issues.
In the meantime, Aaron hoped that the organisation of the Ngiling Bidai programme could preserve the harmony that the plural society has enjoyed all this time.
“Indeed, this difference is factor that strengthens the bond of unity and makes Malaysia a unique and special country in the eyes of the world.
“With a programme like this, people of various races can get to know each other more closely, especially in relation to the customs and cultures of various ethnicities in this country. It can also be used as a new foundation for integration in an effort to explore the sweet moments of unity in building a developed country,” he said.
At the event, Aaron symbolically presented rahmah baskets to ten recipients.
Also present were Jepak assemblyman Datuk Talib Zulpilip, Tanjong Batu assemblyman Johnny Pang Leong Ming, secretary general of MNU Datuk Indera Noridah Abdul Rahim, director general of the MNU Datuk Che Roslan Che Daud and Resident of Bintulu Division Nyurak Keti.
