Rukun Negara
Rukunegara or sometimes Rukun Negara is a philosophy - de facto Malaysian pledge of allegiance - introduced by the Malaysian government 1970 in reaction to a serious race riot known as the May 13 Incident which occurred in 1969. The incident proved at that time that Malaysian racial balance and stability was fragile at best. Immediately thereafter, the Malaysian government immediate sought ways to foster unity among Malaysians. One of methods used to encourage unity is the Rukun Negara. The Rukun Negara was introduced on the 13th Malaysian national day, which fell on August 31 each year.
Five principles
The philosophy has five main points. In the Malay language: Maka kami, rakyat Malaysia, berikrar akan menumpukan seluruh tenaga dan usaha kami untuk mencapai cita-cita tersebut berdasarkan atas prinsip-prinsip yang berikut:
- Kepercayaan kepada Tuhan
- Kesetiaan kepada Raja Dan Negara
- Keluhuran Perlembagaan
- Kedaulatan Undang-Undang
- Kesopanan Dan Kesusilaan
In English: We, citizens of Malaysia, pledge all our energy and efforts to attain these ends guided by the following principles:
- Belief in God
- Loyalty to King and Country
- Supremacy of the Constitution.
- The Rule of Law
- Mutual respect and good social behaviour.
Recitation
It is a norm for primary and secondary public schools in Malaysia to recite the pledge weekly during a compulsory assembly. Pledge reading follows immediately after the singing of the Malaysian nationa anthem, Negaraku. Of some interest, the Rukun Negara could usually be found behind the cover of every exercise book that is typically used by primary and secondary Malaysian public school students
Recently on December 8 2005, the Malaysian government has made reading of the pledge as a must at every official function. The announcement was made a few months after the government made singing of the national anthem as compulsory at every official function. (Bernama)