~Rukun Negara~

BAHAWASANYA NEGARA KITA MALAYSIA mendukung cita-cita hendak mencapai perpaduan yang lebih erat di kalangan seluruh masyarakatnya, memelihara satu cara hidup demokratik, mencipta satu masyarakat adil di mana kemakmuran Negara akan dapat dinikmati bersama secara adil dan saksama, menjamin satu cara liberal terhadap tradisi-tradisi kebudayaannya yang kaya dan berbagai corak dan membina satu masyarakat progresif yang akan menggunakan sains dan teknologi moden.

MAKA KAMI, rakyat Malaysia, berikrar akan menumpukan seluruh tenaga dan usaha kami untuk mencapai cita-cita tersebut berdasarkan atas prinsip-prinsip yang berikut:

1. KEPERCAYAAN KEPADA TUHAN
2. KESETIAAN KEPADA RAJA DAN NEGARA
3. KELUHURAN PERLEMBAGAAN
4. KEDAULATAN UNDANG-UNDANG
5. KESOPANAN DAN KESUSILAAN

As Malaysian, we should know and fluent in reciting the above “mantra”, or should at least remember the five principles of belief in God, loyalty to King and country, upholding the Constitution, rule of law and good behaviour and morality. During my primary school days, it is a norm to recite the Rukun Negara during the weekly school assembly. Rukun Negara also could be found written on behind of the cover of “buku latihan”, together with the “sifir darab” at the bottom of it. Most of the time, I’m used to read it without knowing the real meaning and objectives of the principles. Once, I was able to fluently recite the whole “mantra” starting from BAHAWASANYA….. But now, I’ve only remember just the five principles. Sometimes, I’ve always mistakenly changes the orders of prinsip ke-4 & ke-5.

For more than 20 years being a Malaysian citizen, I’ve not really understood why the five principles were arranged in that order, is it based on the importance of each principle? Until recently, I’ve just discovered why those principles are sorted in that particular order. And the reason why KESETIAAN KEPADA RAJA DAN NEGARA was put on the second rank of importance after belief in GOD. Before this, I thought that RAJA or SULTAN is just merely a symbol to each respective state without having a greater impact on the administration and development of the state. In fact, RAJA or SULTAN has limited role to control day-by-day administration of the state government and to get involved in politics.

However, after the recent PRU12 and the controversial drama surrounding the appointment of MENTERI BESAR in several states, including my state of birth, I’m really pleased to find that the influence of RAJA or SULTAN on government and society are far greater than the PERLEMBAGAAN. So, no more questions about the second principles after I found the role of power and authority of RAJA or SULTAN in the political, social and religious life of community. Based on one of the law’s professor at UiTM, RAJA or SULTAN can be as check and balance mechanisms in supplying the much-needed corrective to the absolute power of the political executive.

Now, I found that RUKUN NEGARA do not stand in vacuum and be just a merely “mantra” to be recited without knowing the impact of it. And there is no reason for any right-minded Malaysian who loves this country argues about RUKUN NEGARA.

I’m just giving opinion as Malaysian citizen. Not so much into politics.