<\/p>\n
<\/span>\u201cThe seed of national unity must be sown Malaysia will be \u201cMalaysia is <\/span>\u201cEach nation must choose the path that suits Fostering a Inculcating Promoting The restrained Considering the Rukun Tetangga A major arm of As an instrument As a security There are four Community Rukun Negara The Rukun Negara The declaration In return, the As could be seen, <\/span>\u201cThese Rukun Negara clubs will be different As of 2002, there
\namong the young. <\/span>They, above all
\nothers, must be taught and convinced of the benefits of peaceful co-existence,\u201d
\nsaid Dato\u2019 Seri Abdullah Haji Ahmad Badawi, Prime Minister of Malaysia, at the
\n2004 Asia Media Summit with the theme \u201cThe Challenges of Multireligious,
\nMultiethnic and Multicultural Societies\u201d.
\n<\/span>Diversity in race, religion and culture is certainly in abundance in
\nMalaysia, a country that has fought hard for its independence and right to
\ngovern itself. <\/span>
\ncelebrating its 48th <\/sup>independence this year, almost half a century
\nof nurturing a growing diverse population and building a strong economy. <\/span>Diversity is a double-edged sword. <\/span>On the one hand, there is the wonder of a
\ncolourful kaleidoscope of human diversity, but on the other hand, the
\ndifferences in human diversity could create tension and disharmony. <\/span>A peek into the history books would reveal stories
\nof how societies and government seek to address and manage this profound
\ndiversity.
\ntruly a melting pot,\u201d expressed Dato\u2019 Seri Abdullah Haji Ahmad Badawi. <\/span>There are about 60 ethnic groups, large and
\nsmall, in Malaysia. <\/span>The Malays consist
\nof 54% of the population, while the Chinese 25%, the Indians 8% and other
\nindigenous groups 12%. <\/span>Major religions
\ncomprise of Islam, Buddhism, Christianity and Hinduism, with a potpourri and
\nconfluence of major Asian cultures, namely, Malay, Chinese and Indian, weaving
\nthrough the heart of the country. <\/span>It is
\ndoubly important to build racial harmony in diversity for without harmony, the
\nnation would be at risk of economic depletion, poor standard of living and erosion
\nof health of the people.
\nit best,\u201d advised the Prime Minister.
\n<\/span>For Malaysia, national unity plays a significant role in the country\u2019s
\ndevelopment plan. <\/span>One of the core
\nmeasures taken by the government to create a cohesive and flourishing multicultural
\nsociety is education. <\/span>Several
\nfundamental goals have been identified in the education process, such as:
\ncommon national consciousness as Malaysians that transcends ethnic, religious
\nand parochial identities without in any way undermining them.
\nvalues, attitudes and behaviors that support a healthy multicultural society,
\nwhich include mutual understanding, mutual respect, regard for the fundamental
\nrights of all, moderation, and peaceful and democratic approaches towards resolving
\ndifferences.
\ninterethnic and inter-religious harmony through socialization.
\nand responsible use of security measures to ensure healthy relations among the
\nvarious communities.
\nimportance of education as a mechanism for national development and national
\nunity in view of the country\u2019s diverse and plural societies, communities are
\nencouraged to form or join neighborhood committees, while schools and
\nuniversities are urged to set up unity clubs.
\n<\/span>These neighborhood committees and unity clubs are known as Rukun
\nTetangga and Rukun Negara clubs. <\/span>Both
\nare under the purview of the Department of National Unity and Integration of
\nthe Prime Minister\u2019s Department.
\nthe Department of National Unity and Integration, Rukun Tetangga was formed on
\nthe basis of the Essential Regulations Rukun Tetangga 1975. <\/span>It is charged with two purposes:
\nand grassroots organization to organize activities and formulate programmes to
\nunify people through interactions or through activities that promote
\ninteraction, and thus build tolerance, common understanding and unity.
\nmeasure to assist the government in ensuring peace and harmony at the
\ngrassroots level is maintained. <\/span>Under
\nthe Essential Regulations, Rukun Tetangga is bestowed with police power when it
\ndoes patrolling.
\nmajor arms under Rukun Tetangga catering for different age and gender groups \u2013
\nTunas Jiran for those 15 years and below, Jiran Muda for the youths and young
\nteenagers, Jiran Wanita for women, and Usia Mas for the senior citizens. <\/span>The focus of the department has grown and
\nevolved over the years. <\/span>In the 1980s,
\nit was more concerned about neighborliness, but since the 1990\u2019s the focus has
\nshifted to national unity and social interaction. <\/span>National unity and integration remains a critical element today
\nbut the activities of the department have now expanded to include aspects of
\ncommunity empowerment and instilling patriotism.
\nempowerment and patriotism are achieved through various channels \u2013 providing
\naccess to computer and internet facilities for the young, opportunities for
\neconomic activities through sale of handicrafts for the women, a place to
\nsocialize for the seniors, and field trips for students or non-governmental
\norganizations (NGOs) between Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak. <\/span>At present there are more than 60 Rukun
\nTetangga in Sarawak.
\nis Malaysia\u2019s national ideals. <\/span>Made up
\nof 5 timeless principles, it was introduced after the communal clashes and
\nracial conflict of 13 May 1969 as an attempt to base national unity on certain
\nuniversal concepts that are acceptable to all citizens of the country despite
\ntheir ethnicities and religions.
\nof the 5 principles of Rukun Negara is as follows\u2026 Our nation Malaysia is
\ndedicated to:\n
\ngreater unity for all her people
\ndemocratic way of life
\nsociety in which the wealth of the nation shall be equitably distributed
\nliberal approach to her rich and diverse cultural traditions
\nprogressive society, orientated towards modern science and technology
\npeople of Malaysia pledge their united efforts to attain the above ends by
\nfollowing these principles:\n
\nand Country
\nConstitution
\nand good social behavior
\nit takes the combined effort of both government and people to achieve political
\nstability, harmony and economic success of a nation. <\/span>The Department of National Unity and Integration is in the midst
\nof formulating the structure to raise awareness of the values of Rukun Negara
\namong the young. <\/span>This structure will be
\nimplemented through the establishment of Rukun Negara clubs in schools and
\neducational institutions with the support of the Minister of Education.
\nfrom other clubs because the committee members will be the Chairman and
\nSecretary of other clubs in the schools,\u201d stated Datuk Dr. Maximus Ongkili,
\nMinister in the Prime Minister\u2019s Department \u2013 National Unity and
\nIntegration. <\/span>The Rukun Negara clubs
\nwill help students to internalize the Rukun Negara values through related
\nactivities, debates, series of lectures, field trips and so forth. <\/span>Some of the clubs could also be adopted by
\nRukun Tetangga and be involved in their functions. <\/span>
\nare 474,734 students in Sarawak of which 284,502 are in primary schools, 185,
\n294 in secondary schools and 4,938 in vocational schools. <\/span>Those numbers are a good start towards
\ninculcating national unity and integration in the younger generation for the
\nstate.