'Rukun Negara is now just lip service' - Dr Chandra Muzaffar

The Rukun Negara was formed with the intention for it to be an ideology and foundation to the formation of a nation that is held by five principles.

After four decades since it was formalised, Rukun Negara has not seemed to achieve its mission while its role still indistinct to a large fraction of Malaysians.

1Malaysia Foundation Chairman, Dr Chandra Muzaffar said, the scenario in the country is complex with integrity, accountability and unity among religion and races; clearly indicates that the Rukun Negara is inappropriately embraced.

He explained that although the oath is made mandatory in most schools and government agencies today for instance, it is still insufficient to leave an indelible mark in the hearts and souls of the rakyat.

“Since the Rukun Negara has failed to play its role and isolated, the last few decades, other priorities surfaced, the exclusives and those that opposed to unity.

“Rukun Negara is now just lip service. We want it to be a practice and it must come from the soul. This is where we fail,” he said.

The Rukun Negara was formed by Majlis Gerakan Negara (MAGERAN) by the second Prime Minister, Tun Abdul Razak Hussein following the bloodied episode of May 13, 1969.

It was declared by the Fourth Yang Di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Ismail Nasiruddin Shah during the Independence Day celebration on Oct 31, 1970.

Following the declaration, Pas vice president, who was also a member of Mageran responsible in drafting the Rukun Negara, the late Datuk Hassan Adli in a statement on Oct 20, 1970 stressed that the Rukun Negara should not be just lip service among politicians, but it should be the guiding light.

Unfortunately, that doesn’t happen today, said Chandra.

“I feel we are seen to be sleep walking, to a dangerous situation for the country. Do you know that when you sleep walk, you don’t realised what you have done and in the end, you will be in a different form and society,” he explained.