Rukun Negara Clubs To Be Set Up In Schools, Universities
Saturday, 7 August 2004 (Source: Bernama)

LABUAN: Rukun Negara clubs will be set up in schools and in public and private institutions of higher learning in the country to promote and inculcate its guiding principles among students, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili said Saturday.

To facilitate an immediate setting up of such clubs, the National Unity and Integration Department will discuss with the Education Ministry and the Higher Education Ministry on the procedures and process.

"It is important that Rukun Negara Clubs be set up and made active in schools and universities," Dr Ongkili said at a dialogue with academic staff and students of the Labuan International Campus, a branch campus of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), here.

The idea to set up such clubs in schools and institutions of higher learning was mooted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi three years ago in Melaka, said Dr Ongkili.

Abdullah, then Deputy Prime Minister, when opening a unity convention, said that there was a need to set up such clubs in schools and institutions of higher learning.

The Rukun Negara was formulated following the May 13 1969 racial riots. It was proclaimed on Merdeka Day in 1970 by the fourth Yang di-Pertuan Agong and consists of two parts.

The first envisions the kind of society desired while the second outlines five guiding principles which embodies high values needed for Malaysia to forge ahead. They are, Belief in God; Loyalty to King and Country; Upholding the Constitution; Rule of Law; and Good Behaviour and Morality.

Ongkili said that among the objectives and functions of the club was to promote the Rukun Negara, thereby ensuring that students were fully familiar and knowledgeable with its principles.

It is also to promote appreciation of the Rukun Negara through writing, speech contests, debates and drama performances; promote interaction, spirit of tolerance, and patriotism as well as cooperation among students of various races through extra-curricular activities such as motivational talks, campaigns, field trips and cultural exchange programmes.

"It is also to promote the caring spirit among students, to work together and (participate in) other support activities for the poor, the handicapped and the aged besides providing a forum for ideas, suggestions and input for national unity policies and programmes," he said.

Meanwhile, Ongkili commended the Labuan International Campus, its academic staff and students for the racial harmony among its 1,800 campus citizens.

The location of the campus, which offers International Business programmes, was most strategic given Labuan's status as an international offshore financial centre, he said.

Also present was the campus' acting director and dean of the Labuan School of International Business and Finance, Associate Prof Dr Zainal Abdidin Said.