By Afix Redzuan
SHAH ALAM, July 28 — The public must understand the objective and principles of the Rukun Negara that was introduced 50 years ago as it would be able to strengthen the unity between the different races.
Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari said failure to appreciate the principles could incite racial issues and disputes, especially among the youths, as well as give rise to extremism.
“Belief in God, loyalty to the king and country, the supremacy of the constitution, rule of law, and courtesy and morality — this is the important bond that unites the nation in the past 50 years which has been declared as the Rukun Negara.
“In the last couple of years, we have witnessed small racial incidents becoming bigger issues which would eventually cause a split among us as well as create suspicions between one another.
“We have to clearly look into this matter so that it does not get carried away and end up forming a community and young generation that is irrational when differences arise,” said Amirudin in his speech during the Selangor 2020 National Month and Fly the Jalur Gemilang campaign.
Amirudin cited the recent vandalism incident of the mural of the Malaysian leaders in Shah Alam as an example of the failure to appreciate the principles of the Rukun Negara, which has to be understood by all youths.
He said this is to curb the younger generation from being entangled in racial disputes.
He also said the people should learn from several past national crises, such as the 1969 racial incident, the economic turbulence in the 90s and the recent ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, to continue working hand-in-hand in developing the country.
Earlier, Amirudin and the Selangor civil servants had observed the address delivered by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin in conjunction with the launch of the National Month and Fly the Jalur Gemilang campaign, which was broadcasted live from the Dataran Perdana at Perdana Putra building, in Putrajaya.
Amirudin had also flagged off the ‘Info On Wheels Merdeka’ convoy at the di Dewan Jubli Perak of the State Secretariat building, here today.
