8/9/2019 Living out the tenets

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FRIDAY10 August

2007

FRIDAY10 August

2007

FEATURE FEATURE   76

Capturing the spirit Young people talk about how relevant the fifthprinciple is to them, and give examples of how theypractise it in their lives

I think the principle is very rele-vantto me as it serves as a broadguideline in living my life, especial-ly because teenage years is thetime ‘experiment’ with new things.Naturally, whether I admitit ornot, like it or not, repeating theprinciple every Monday duringschool assemblies drilled itinsidemy head and affects my daily judg-ments. — J

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Since young, my parents always askme and my siblings to 'behave yourself'when we are outside or in the presenceof others. That  should be relevantright? Other than that, my peers stillgreetteachers and older relatives,which is a small act, but in truth tell

 you a lotof a person. —C

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This principle is definitely relavantnotjust to the young people buttoeveryone. Of course, being good makesense! Having good behaviour andmorality is something thatwe allhave been toughtsince small. Thisprinciple to me is like a pillar. Itsh owshow well you can carry yourself because atthe end of the day every-thing reflects on you. — P

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Those two words (Kesopanan danKesusilaan) definitely ring a bell, havingto recite itevery morning for 11 years. Iguess respectitself can be portrayed in awhole lotof forms such as how one istaughtto respectthe elders, teachers,authorities, parents, relatives, etc.

ButI guess the mostimportantthingto consider how we should respect indi-viduals as a whole, regardless of theirbackground and upbringing. — J

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The Rukunegara

The RukunegaraW

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☛ achieving a more perfectunity amongstthe whole of hersociety;

☛ preserving a democraticway of life;

☛ creating a justsocietywhere the prosperity of thecountry can be enjoyed togetherin a fair and equitable manner;

☛ guaranteeing a liberalapproach towards her rich andvaried cultural traditions; and

☛ building a progressive soci-ety thatwill make use of scienceand modern technology.

Living out the tenetsBY NIKI CHEONG

SINCE Monday, R.AGE has been running thisseries of articles related to the tenets of Rukunegara.

Atthe same time, we posed a challenge to you, the youths of today, to reflecton theRukunegara – its relevance to you and thenation, and the commitmentrequired of you.

More significantly, we asked: “Do we embraceits principles wholeheartedly, or are we merelyreciting our Rukunegara pledge withoutfullyunderstanding its spiritand purpose?”

The answer lies in the fifth tenet Kesopanandan Kesusilaan, more commonly translated asGood Behaviour and Morality. From the outset,this principle appears to be the easiest to prac-tise considering thatthe two are universal val-ues. Or atleast that’s how they appear on thesurface.

Many of the young people interviewed spokeof the little things they practise in the course of their lives, and the values they live by as exam-ples of their commitment.

“Upholding this principle goes back to basicfundamentals,” said 20-year-old medical stu-

dentChan KitSze.“Small gestures likeholding the door, abiding by traffic rules, sayingplease and thank you and speaking politely indi-cate good behaviour and morality. To me, smallthings make a big difference.”

While this is admirable, ittakes more thanindividuals being polite and having good man-ners to achieve the five key goals for the nationas stated in the Rukunegara. Th ese goalsinclude, among others, achieving a greater unityfor all and maintaining a democratic way of life.

Taking these goals into consideration, embrac-ing the Rukunegara principles goes beyond theindividual, butincludes the whole spectrum of society – governmental, private and collectives,all of whom are essential participants in nationbuilding.

In this context, young people, as a collective,mustplay their role.

“When young people begin to be aware of ahigher order dictating existence, this should typ-ically include an awareness of moral order.Whatever form itmay take, in essence we are to‘love our neighbours as ourselves’,”psychologystudentKevin Soo said. “Seeing a principle in

the Rukunegara lends con-fidence to the foundationsof the nation – seeingthat, in theory, atleast, weare a people aware of amoral code.”

Where this awareness

comes from leads us back to the four othertenets of the Rukunegara. The problem, of course, lies in the factthatfor many young peo-ple, the Rukunegara are just phrases they reciteday in, day outfor all the years they are inschool.

“Personally, the Rukunegara has not featuredin my life aside from the factthat I used torecite itevery morning withoutreally digestingthe words thatwere being formed,”Melbourne-based Malaysian studentCharles Sow shared.

However, he does live according to the fifthprinciple because good behaviour is somethingthathe practises as a social being.

Indeed, knowing and understanding thetenets and living by them are not mutuallyexclusive.

People have long been practising these princi-ples, even before they were formally enshrinedin the Rukunegara.

Some people are unaware thattheRukunegara was written as a response to theMay 13 racial riots in 1969.

Fifth former Madeline Khaw was surprisedwhen asked if she was aware of the fact.

Yet, justprior to thatquestion, the 17-year-oldspoke abouthow good behaviour lends to creat-ing a united country, and help us to avoidinstances like the racial riots.

“It’s relevantbecause we need good behav-iour to lead a peaceful and harmonious life,

especially in a multi-racial and multi-culturalcountry like Malaysia,”she had said. “Goodbehaviour promotes all that is good, therefore,as an example, we will notstart fighting amongourselves like in the May 13 incident.”

Looking atit from this pointof view, and tak-ing into consideration why the Rukunegara wasestablished, the fifth principle is essentiallyabout mutual respect, tolerance and goodsocial behaviour.

“I see the idea of respecting, notjust tolerat-ing, others and their viewpoints a lotmore rep-resentative of ‘good behaviour’than being ‘well-mannered’,” fresh graduate Matthew Seow said.

Matthew acknowledged that good mannersare vital, butthese expressions of respectmustgo deeper.

“To me those outward form of respectarereally unimportantcompared to inner respect …Nonetheless, I would always aim to hold thedoor open for anyone behind me, and notjustfor the ladies.”

Of all the five tenets, the final one is the mosttangible and mostpractised. Good Behaviourand Morality holds us all together; notjust as amultiracial society but as people living togetherin a community.

And itis the practise of this tenetthatinspiresthe spiritof solidarity and togetherness thatenable us to live according to all the otherRukunegara tenets.

All week, R.AGE has published stories focusing oneach principle of the Rukunegara, our nation’score ideology in guiding people through thechallenges of developing a multiractial country.Today’s edition is the lastin the series but thedialogue doesn’t, and shouldn’t, stop here. Join inthe discussion atwww.rage.com.my.

Among all the principles, I believe thatthis principle plays the most significantrole. To me, to have someone to obeythe other four principles, he mustfirstbelieve in good behaviour and morality.If he doesn’t even believe in practisingdecentmanners himself, how is it possi-ble for him to be a good citizen? — Nu

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Good behaviour and morality are thebuilding blocks of maturity for youngpeople such as me. Good behaviour is

the consequence of sound decision-making and a strong conscience, whilemorality reflects the level of self-disci-pline and will power a person possesses.The principle stresses the need for us toalways strive to do whatis right, even if itis the hardest thing to do. —Pa

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‘Good Behaviour and Morality’does notcome overnight, butthe little (good) thingswe do everyday can help make us that littlebitbetter of a person. No one wants to beharmed, so I believe if we all treat everyonethe way we wantto be treated, then thefifth tenetof the Rukunegara is notsuch anUtopic ideal; itcan become a reality. And

 you know the bestpart? Every Malaysiancan play their role, whether young or old,because ‘Good Behaviour and Morality’isuniversal. — D

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Relevant ? It is relevantto us young peoplebecause we are Malaysians to start of with, and tobe a partof this progressive nation, we oughttoremember the purpose of these five principles – toforge unity within the society thatwe are in.

This fifth principle always helps me to self examine my stand and principles time and again.Itreminds me of how importantitis to live a lifebased on good morality and behaviour. — J

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

 Joshua Foong (back row, fourth from left)

Religious leaders from various faiths praying atan inter-religious ceremony for therecentJohor flood victims.

Respectfor eldersremain one of thecore examples of 

 good values.