6

FEATURE

FRIDAY
10 August
2007

Living out
the tenets
BY NIKI CHEONG
SINCE Monday, R.AGE has been running this
series of articles related to the tenets of
Rukunegara.
At the same time, we posed a challenge to
you, the youths of today, to reflect on the
Rukunegara its relevance to you and the
nation, and the commitment required of you.
More significantly, we asked: Do we embrace
its principles wholeheartedly, or are we merely
reciting our Rukunegara pledge without fully
understanding its spirit and purpose?
The answer lies in the fifth tenet Kesopanan
dan Kesusilaan, more commonly translated as
Good Behaviour and Morality. From the outset,
this principle appears to be the easiest to practise considering that the two are universal values. Or at least thats how they appear on the
surface.
Many of the young people interviewed spoke
of the little things they practise in the course of
their lives, and the values they live by as examples of their commitment.
Upholding this principle goes back to basic
fundamentals, said 20-year-old medical stu-

FEATURE

All week, R.AGE has published stories focusing on

each principle of the Rukunegara, our nations
core ideology in guiding people through the
challenges of developing a multiractial country.
Todays edition is the last in the series but the
dialogue doesnt, and shouldnt, stop here. Join in
the discussion at www.rage.com.my.

FRIDAY
10 August
2007

Young people talk about how relevant the fifth

principle is to them, and give examples of how they
practise it in their lives

comes from leads us back to the four other

tenets of the Rukunegara. The problem, of
course, lies in the fact that for many young people, the Rukunegara are just phrases they recite
day in, day out for all the years they are in
school.
Personally, the Rukunegara has not featured
in my life aside from the fact that I used to
recite it every morning without really digesting
the words that were being formed, Melbournebased Malaysian student Charles Sow shared.
However, he does live according to the fifth
principle because good behaviour is something
that he practises as a social being.
Indeed, knowing and understanding the
tenets and living by them are not mutually
exclusive.
People have long been practising these principles, even before they were formally enshrined
in the Rukunegara.
Some people are unaware that the
Rukunegara was written as a response to the
May 13 racial riots in 1969.
Fifth former Madeline Khaw was surprised
when asked if she was aware of the fact.
Yet, just prior to that question, the 17-year-old
spoke about how good behaviour lends to creating a united country, and help us to avoid
instances like the racial riots.
Its relevant because we need good behaviour to lead a peaceful and harmonious life,

especially in a multi-racial and multi-cultural

country like Malaysia, she had said. Good
behaviour promotes all that is good, therefore,
as an example, we will not start fighting among
ourselves like in the May 13 incident.
Looking at it from this point of view, and taking into consideration why the Rukunegara was
established, the fifth principle is essentially
about mutual respect, tolerance and good
social behaviour.
I see the idea of respecting, not just tolerating, others and their viewpoints a lot more representative of good behaviour than being wellmannered, fresh graduate Matthew Seow said.
Matthew acknowledged that good manners
are vital, but these expressions of respect must
go deeper.
To me those outward form of respect are
really unimportant compared to inner respect
Nonetheless, I would always aim to hold the
door open for anyone behind me, and not just
for the ladies.
Of all the five tenets, the final one is the most
tangible and most practised. Good Behaviour
and Morality holds us all together; not just as a
multiracial society but as people living together
in a community.
And it is the practise of this tenet that inspires
the spirit of solidarity and togetherness that
enable us to live according to all the other
Rukunegara tenets.

Since young, my parents always ask

me and my siblings to 'behave yourself'
when we are outside or in the presence
of others. That should be relevant
right? Other than that, my peers still
greet teachers and older relatives,
which is a small act, but in truth tell
you a lot of a person. Cheah Kok
Hin, 15
Those two words (Kesopanan dan
Kesusilaan) definitely ring a bell, having
to recite it every morning for 11 years. I
guess respect itself can be portrayed in a
whole lot of forms such as how one is
taught to respect the elders, teachers,
authorities, parents, relatives, etc.
But I guess the most important thing
to consider how we should respect individuals as a whole, regardless of their
background and upbringing. Joanne
Lee, 22

Relevant? It is relevant to us young people

because we are Malaysians to start of with, and to
be a part of this progressive nation, we ought to
remember the purpose of these five principles to
forge unity within the society that we are in.

This fifth principle always helps me to self

examine my stand and principles time and again.
It reminds me of how important it is to live a life
based on good morality and behaviour. Joshua
Foong, 20

Whereas our country Malaysia

nurtures the aspirations of:
achieving a more perfect
unity amongst the whole of her
society;
preserving a democratic
way of life;
creating a just society
where the prosperity of the
country can be enjoyed together
in a fair and equitable manner;
Therefore we, the people of Malaysia, pledge to
concentrate the whole of
our energy and efforts to
achieve these aspirations
building a progressive socibased on the following
ety that will make use of science
principles:
and modern technology.
guaranteeing a liberal
approach towards her rich and
varied cultural traditions; and
Religious leaders from various
faiths praying at an interreligious ceremony for the
recent Johor flood victims.

Among all the principles, I believe that

this principle plays the most significant
role. To me, to have someone to obey
the other four principles, he must first
believe in good behaviour and morality.
If he doesnt even believe in practising
decent manners himself, how is it possible for him to be a good citizen? Nur
Aishah Mohd Shah, 19

Joshua Foong (back row,

fourth from left)

The Rukunegara

Respect for elders

remain one of the
core examples of
good values.

Good behaviour and morality are the

building blocks of maturity for young
people such as me. Good behaviour is
the consequence of sound decisionmaking and a strong conscience, while
morality reflects the level of self-discipline and will power a person possesses.
The principle stresses the need for us to
always strive to do what is right, even if
it is the hardest thing to do.
Parthiban Muniandy, 21

Capturing the spirit

dent Chan Kit Sze.

Small gestures like
holding the door, abiding by traffic rules, saying
please and thank you and speaking politely indicate good behaviour and morality. To me, small
things make a big difference.
While this is admirable, it takes more than
individuals being polite and having good manners to achieve the five key goals for the nation
as stated in the Rukunegara. These goals
include, among others, achieving a greater unity
for all and maintaining a democratic way of life.
Taking these goals into consideration, embracing the Rukunegara principles goes beyond the
individual, but includes the whole spectrum of
society governmental, private and collectives,
all of whom are essential participants in nation
building.
In this context, young people, as a collective,
must play their role.
When young people begin to be aware of a
higher order dictating existence, this should typically include an awareness of moral order.
Whatever form it may take, in essence we are to
love our neighbours as ourselves, psychology
student Kevin Soo said. Seeing a principle in
the Rukunegara lends confidence to the foundations
of the nation seeing
that, in theory, at least, we
are a people aware of a
moral code.
Where this awareness

Belief in God
Loyalty to King and country
Upholding the Consitution
The Rule of Law
Good behaviour and morality

I think the principle is very relevant to me as it serves as a broad

guideline in living my life, especially because teenage years is the
time experiment with new things.
Naturally, whether I admit it or
not, like it or not, repeating the
principle every Monday during
school assemblies drilled it inside
my head and affects my daily judgments. Josh Foo, 17

This principle is definitely relavant

not just to the young people but to
everyone. Of course, being good make
sense! Having good behaviour and
morality is something that we all
have been tought since small. This
principle to me is like a pillar. It shows
how well you can carry yourself
because at the end of the day everything reflects on you. Philadelphia
Nair, 22

Good Behaviour and Morality does not

come overnight, but the little (good) things
we do everyday can help make us that little
bit better of a person. No one wants to be
harmed, so I believe if we all treat everyone
the way we want to be treated, then the
fifth tenet of the Rukunegara is not such an
Utopic ideal; it can become a reality. And
you know the best part? Every Malaysian
can play their role, whether young or old,
because Good Behaviour and Morality is
universal. Daphne Ling, 21