Co-Curricular Activities Are Instruments Of National Unity
Monday, 28 June 2004 (Source:Bernama)

KOTA MARUDU: Co-curricular activities in schools, especially those involving multiracial uniformed bodies, are important instruments to national unity, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili said Monday.

He said said interactions through such activities would go a long way in promoting ethnic tolerance, mutual respect, a caring attitude, understanding and cooperation.

"These attributes are required to evolve the Malaysian nation (Bangsa Malaysia), which is the ultimate product of a united and integrated country," he said at a motivational camp for members of uniformed bodies of Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Kota Marudu here.

Some 450 students took part in four-day camp at the school compound.

Programmes include physical training, survival techniques, creativity tests, goal-setting, character building, group dynamics and team building -- which Dr Ongkili described as resembling a mini national service camp aimed at toughening students' mental altertness, discipline and stressing the importance of voluntary uniformed bodies in character development and community service.

Dr Ongkili, who is in charge of unity and national integration, also said that multiracial voluntary organisations in schools could be catalysts in forging closer relations among the races, especially at the early age.

This was vital so that unity became part of their daily life in the country's multiracial population, he said.

"It is a goal of the Malaysian government to make unity a culture of the people," he said.

Participation in uniformed voluntary bodies could also help students acquire leadership skills and develop creativity in dealing with challenges.

"Observations by researchers are that students involved in school non-governmental organisations tend to be more mature, multi-skilled and goal-driven," he said.

He congratulated SMK Kota Marudu for producing excellent students both academically and in terms of co-curricular activities -- producing among the state's best students as well as athletes.