MECHANISMS
TO DEVELOP
NATIONAL UNITY
IN MALAYSIA
GROUP 9
NATIONAL
SERVICE
LANGUAGE
RUKUNEGARA
WAYS TO
DEVELOP
NATIONAL
UNITY
EDUCATION
CULTURE
FESTIVALS
HISTORY
First proposed in late 2001, brought to committee the
next year and finally brought to action in 2003
The rationale for National Service was to bond the
youth of Malaysia together and create a Malaysian
nation, as the problem of racial polarisation was found to
pervade educational institutions in Malaysia.
BACKGROUND TO THE ETHNIC
PROBLEM OF MALAYA
Under British colonial rule the ethnic Malay population
was encouraged to concentrate on subsistence agriculture,
serving in the military, or working as civil servants.
Ethnic Chinese were already present in what is now
Malaysia and usually worked in the commercial sector.
More Chinese were brought in to work on the rubber
plantations and in the tin mines.
When Chinese were found to be unsuitable for this sort
of indentured labour, and unwilling to work under close
supervision, they were replaced by Indians.
Malaysia still retains a degree of separation in the
economy. Malays still dominate the government and the
security forces such as the army and police force. The
Chinese are mainly focused in the private sector. NonMuslim Indians remain the poorest section of Malaysian
society.
This has had an impact on the issue of National Service.
Some ethnic Malays have not felt they can trust the other
communities. Many people from the other communities are
reluctant to serve in a Malay-dominated institution like the
government bureaucracy, defence force and the police force.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malaysian_National_Service
OBJECTIVES OF NS
Develop a young generation who are patriotic and with
love for their country
Enhance unity among the multi-racial communities
in the country
Instill a spirit of caring and volunteerism among society
Produce an active, intelligent and confident generation
Develop positive characteristics among the younger
generation through good values
Defence Minister Dato’ Seri Najib Tun Razak;
"This is not a political programme. This is about
nation-building. It is to strengthen national unity and
national integration."
Najib said Malaysia's programme would differ from those in
other countries, such as neighbouring Singapore, where
military training is part of the national defence requirements.
"Ours is designed for nation-building, with about 30 percent
military and physical components," he said.
Apart from basic military and firearms training, it will include
"patriotic training", character-building and community
service”
This would involve learning about the country's constitution,
policies and laws, and working experience with government
agencies and non-governmental organisations
MODULES
The program is split into 4 modules:
Physical Module - Marching, hand to hand combat,
Obstacle courses, jungle trekking, survival training and
first aid training
Nation Building Module (Kenegaraan) - Classroom
based. Nation's history, sovereignty and dignity, Malaysia
and international affairs, Defence and National Security
and Citizen's responsibility to the nation
Character Building Module (Pembinaan Karakter) Classroom based. It comprise 2 modules. The first one,
Module A speaks about Bringing Out The Best In Me while the
second module, Module B, relates to Bringing Out The Best In
Others. This component is experential based and relies on
games and activities as the means of teaching. It is about
instilling good values and Self-confidence, leadership and selfevaluation.
Community Service Module (Khidmat Komuniti)- Trainees
are sent in groups to places in surrounding areas to give the
trainees a chance to serve society. This is about building and
restoring public amenities. It also teaches them environmental
restoration and protection as well.
We, the people of Malaysia, pledge our united efforts
to attain these ends, guided by these principles:
• Belief in God
• Loyalty to King and Country
• Upholding the Constitution
• Sovereignty of the Law, and
• Good Behaviour and Morality”
HISTORY
Proclaimed on August 31, 1970 by the Yang diPertuan Agong IV.
Introduce as to unite all the people and to
preserve democracy aftermath of May 13, 1969
racial clashes.
THE PLEDGE
“Our Nation, Malaysia is dedicated to: Achieving a greater
unity for all her people; maintaining a democratic way of
life; creating a just society in which the wealth of the nation
shall be equitably distributed; ensuring a liberal approach to
her rich and diverse cultural tradition, and building a
progressive society which shall be oriented to modern
science and technology.
We, the people of Malaysia, pledge our united efforts to
attain these ends, guided by these principles:
• Belief in God
• Loyalty to King and Country
• Upholding the Constitution
• Sovereignty of the Law, and
• Good Behaviour and Morality”
REVIEW
 Rukun Negara plays a vital role in strengthening
unity among Malaysians.
 Deputy Prime Minister, Dato' Seri Najib Tun Razak
said,
“Mutual tolerance among the people is very much
needed in a multiracial society like Malaysia”
In his speech read by Information Minister,
Dato' Seri Panglima Abdul Kadir Sheikh
Fadzir at a Rukun Negara Appreciation
Ceremony, Dato' Seri Najib said,
“The five principles of Rukun Negara have
strongly bonded the people together. It has
been and is guiding Malaysians in moving
towards solidarity”
ISSUE
Do you know the pledge of
Rukun Negara?
When was the last time you recite it?
According to Information Minister, Dato' Seri Panglima
Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir
“from the random study of Malaysians, 100%
do not know what is Rukun Negara”
(Utusan Malaysia, January 23, 2006)
STEP TAKEN
The Information Ministry has therefore launched
the "Rukun Negara appreciation campaign" throughout
the country to revive the spirit of Rukun Negara.
Minister of Information, Dato' Seri Kadir Sheikh
Fadzir said the Rukun Negara should be practiced by
all Malaysians as the spirit is fading fast.
He added that solidarity and political stability can be
achieved if all the five principles of Rukun Negara are
adhered to
In school…
“our campaign is to revise the philosophical and
ideological of Rukun Negara especially in
primary school. Rukun Negara are able to
reduce social ills, crime and etc among
Malaysians especially students and youth”
“this campaign also to strengthen the
unity among all races in Malaysia”
CULTURE

Malay culture– the base of the national culture
Islam – important element in the formulation of
the national culture

The Malay culture upholds Islamic values i.e
integrity, honesty, sincerity and good
neighbourliness, and especially belief in God.

Muslims are brothers, while non Muslims are
respected as neighbours.
 The
Malay culture places high value on courtesy,
moderation and harmony.
 Harmonious and
cordial relations among family
members, neighbours and community, at
national and international levels, are necessary to
promote tolerance and mutual respect for each
other’s customs and traditions.
“Inculcating positive
cultural values among
Malaysians”
-RMK 9-
 What
step has been taken by the government?
 Through campaign:
‘BUDI BAHASA BUDAYA KITA’
 Helps
to inculcate and develop national unity.
Respect and honour all human beings
irrespective of their religion, colour,
race, sex, language, status, property,
birth, profession/job
and so on
FESTIVALS
 Hari
Raya, Chinese New Year, Deepavali,
Christmas, Gawai Day and other auspicious
occasions are celebrated as important festivals.
 The
government organised Malaysian Open
Houses to celebrate festivals.
 These
celebrations reflected the spirit of
national unity and harmony in multicultural
Malaysia.
LANGUAGE
BAHASA MELAYU
 National
language of the country.
 Declared
the official language in Malaysia in
1967 following the passing of the National
Language Act by Parliament.
 The
government promotes the use of the national
language to foster national unity.
HOW COULD IT BE
EFFECTIVELY IMPLEMENTED?
 Making
the medium of instruction in schools
and institutions of higher learning in the
country, besides being the official language in
government administration.
HOWEVER….
 The
people are free to use their mother tongue
and other languages.
“Speak in a civilised manner in a
language that is recognised by the
society and is commonly used”
Quran (4:5)
EDUCATION
VISION SCHOOLS
DEFINITION
Primary
schools.
Concept = children learning together within an
area without regard for race or religion.
Under this concept, two or three primary schools
of different streams are placed in the same area.
Each school will have its own building which
can be joined to the other schools by a link-way.
www.kpm.edu.gov (5 April 2005)
EXAMPLES

Pekan Baru Vision
School Complex, Parit
Buntar, Perak

USJ 15 Vision School
Complex, Subang Jaya,
Selangor

Taman Aman Vision
School Complex, Alor
Setar, Kedah

Pundut Vision School
Complex, Seri Manjung,
Perak

Tasik Permai Vision
School Complex, Pulau
Pinang
HOW VISION SCHOOL (VS) HELPS IN
DEVELOPING NATIONAL UNITY?
 VS
helps to instil the spirit of integration among
pupils of different streams.
 VS
encourages maximum interaction among the
pupils through the sharing of school facilities and
implementation of other activities in school.
www.kpm.edu.gov (5 April 2005)
TEACHER’S ROLE
WHY TEACHER’S ROLE IS
IMPORTANT?

Spends hours with students in school

Close with children – 2nd after parents

Influential

Trusted by students
HOW TEACHERS CAN HELP IN
DEVELOPING NATIONAL UNITY?
1) Encourage cooperation among students.
Eg: Group activities - each group must have
mix of races.
2) Have a good relationships with students
regards of races - treat all equally.
3) Tell students the uniqueness of each culture.
Eg: food, clothes @ dress.
4) Show and explain the benefits and
importance of unity among races and vice
versa.
Eg: May 13.
"And we set you up as nations and
tribes so that you may be able to
recognize each other“
Quran (49:13)
DISCUSSION
“ From your opinion, do you think that
vernacular schools like Indian and
Chinese vernacular schools,
contribute to the disunity among
Malaysian citizens? ”
Bibliography
WORLD WIDE WEB
1.
http://english.islamway.com/bindex.php?sectionfiltered=arti
cle&id=271
2.
http://kpm.edu.gov
3.
http://www.parlimen.gov.my/opindexbi/pdf/OPDR22062005
.pdf
4.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malaysian_National_Service
5.
http://besonline.rtm.net.my
6.
http://www.epu.jpm.my/rm9/english/Chapter23.pdf.
ARTICLES
1.
Utusan Malaysia, January 23, 2006
GROUP MEMBERS
o
Siti Hafiza Samsuddin
o
Norhafizah Hanoom bt Ahmad
Azman Khan
o
Fatimah Mohd Zain