By Asohan Satkunasingham

In the recent years and months, articles have appeared in the media on the need to have our Rukun Negara be introduced in our Federal Constitution.

Some others view that a new Malaysia narrative across the country's key pillars of political, economic and social could be achieved only when racial and religious politics are not in the equation.

Hence, in both of these views, one thing is certain that unity needs to be the bedrock of reform through a participatory democracy through a value-based system of governance which transcends race and religion.

Hence for Malaysia to bounce back, then the rise must be from race-based to value-based actions.

Indeed, we have this success formula in the form of Rukun Negara or our national principles. It would not be wrong to call it the "Nation's Creed".

Intriguingly, if we really have a formula to succeed, then why aren't we as a nation stand strong and live by this creed?

In my view and I stand corrected there is no need to have this nation's creed woven into our Federal Constitution. In fact, all that is required is for us to move more inward from the five pillars closer towards the five aspirations set in the preambles of this creed.

If we dive deeper into the purpose of the formulation of Rukun Negara, which is to shape strong and lasting unity between the different races in Malaysia, then we become resolved that our strength is rooted in our "unity in diversity". In fact, if this strength is built, then it becomes our identity in representing our "Malaysian Brand". Coincidentally, our coat of arms (Jata Negara) explicitly states Unity for Strength (Bersekutu Bertambah Mutu) which gives credence to our unique value proposition in unity. Hence, the principles found in our nation's creed are key ingredients for national harmony and racial unity for success and stability of our country. The preamble solidifies and weaves our respective strengths in every fabric of building greater unity.

Let us reflect and reminisce our pledge to this nation that was promulgated in 1970.

OUR NATION MALAYSIA is dedicated to:

– Achieving a greater unity for her people;

– Maintaining a democratic way of life;

– Creating a just society in which the wealth of the nation shall be equitably distributed;

– Ensuring a liberal approach to her rich and diverse cultural traditions;

– Building a progressive society, oriented towards modern science and technology.

WE, Malaysians, as one, pledge to strive to attain these goals guided by the following principles:

– Belief in God;

– Loyalty to King and Country;

– Supremacy of the Constitution;

– The Rule of Law;

– Good Behavior and Morality.

Now, the common question. How do we develop, build and live by this pledge true to its core and aspiration? The answer lies in introducing "National Values". Values that are guided by this creed to transcend us in our political, social, environmental and economic direction. Thus, developing the values system around the word "Muhibbah". A word that became synonymous and well resonated during the early 70's, largely determining our way of life then. 

However, it was lost when we kept the Rukun Negara close to the back of our school exercise books and slowly diminishing the effects of the preamble in every promotional activity to necessitate our dedication, continuous and consistent application in our daily lives. Over a period of time, the erosion started and we became more divided that united. Hence, introducing it in the Federal Constitution without any firm interventional programs and dwelling deep into the aspirations would not be effective. Chances are, it may end up just like our school exercise book initiative.

The suggested National Values to complement the aspirations and principles of this Rukun Negara using the acronym "Muhibbah" is described below:

MINDFULNESS – our ability to be fully present. Being aware of where we are, what we are doing and not being overly reactive or overwhelmed by what's going on around us. Being mindful will increase our presence and dedication to our country. 

UNITY IN DIVERSITY – Our cooperation and coexistence between fellow citizens to build a sense of oneness despite differences and barriers in ethnicities, languages and religions. A principle to achieve greater national unity with a liberal approach towards our rich and diverse cultural traditions.

HARD WORK – Our basic traits for everything worthwhile we intend to achieve in life by applying our ability with focus and intensity that will create a just society by shared prosperity.

INTEGRITY – Our wholeness in character by doing the right thing in a reliable way with an unwavering moral compass to uphold the principle of morality.

BEHAVE WITH "BUDI" – Our way to display gracious, polite, good-natured and calm behavior reflected in the modesty of our attire, body language and demeanor to approach daily life with a great deal of patience. We will make our budi contagious to be easily recognized as Malaysians that determines our good behavior.

ATTITUDE OF PRIDE AND SHAME – Our sense of worth (maruah) by earning respect (hormat) and contributing to our country as living examples. Doing anything contrary will bring shame (malu) upon our reputation, influence, dignity and honor. This will complement the principle of good behavior and morality. 

HUMANITY – Our natural ability to love, have compassion and live harmoniously with fellow beings and the preservation of nature by respecting and not discriminating against the rights of others and to accept our own values and cherish our own right to life. The wealth of our nation is derived from harmony in humanity, aspiring to build a progressive society.

Lastly, these national values to strengthen our unity could be achieved by adopting these suggestions, which are non-exhaustive:

1. Our elected representatives must be serious in promoting both the preamble and principles of Rukun Negara. They must make it as their way of democratic life so that the supremacy of the constitution and the rule of law is always protected. In showing seriousness, these aspirations and principles must be reflected in our national policies.

2. Build the wealth of the nation based on "wealth creation" rather than "wealth distribution". When creation takes precedence, automatically distribution is taken care to create a just society, where the wealth of the nation is equitably shared. We should not rest until every citizen is able to proudly say, "dimana bumi dipijak, disitu langit dijunjung".

3. Start to introduce "national values" in schools, not as a subject but by activities and community projects. I remember having a Malay schoolmate that shared my bowl of noodles without any reservation but now it is not advisable due to COVID-19. The learning from this act, is what needs to be emulated to ensure a liberal approach to inclusively accommodate our rich and diverse cultural traditions. It will also put rest to the misconception and twisting the word "liberal" in the recent years. What is needed is to take a liberal approach as suggested in our aspiration to grow our unity strength.

4. Parents must play their role to inculcate prayers and religious teachings to their children. Hence make it a family discipline that a family prays together, stays together. This will enable them to uphold good values and virtues in building their "Belief in God".

5. In achieving the aspiration of building a progressive society, oriented towards modern science and technology, the time has come for us to disrupt our conventional education system. Education is the only barometer to determine a nation's progression or regression.

In adoption of the above suggestions, the Rukun Negara would not be viewed as a passed-on rhetoric from one generation to the other and worst being forgotten by losing its luster over time. As we progress in this modern world, let's not be the cause for regression but the reason for our success by collectively working on our diversity strength.

The Rukun Negara should not just be a lip pledge but we must flip deeply into its core and soul to make us a nation of envy with our "unity in diversity". Otherwise, we still remain time frozen in our 1969 tragedy without moving forward to seize every growth opportunity that our unity strength could offer for nation building.

Let us holistically work on the aspiration and principles enshrined in our Rukun Negara for a greater "Negaraku"!