AS we commemorate our 58th Merdeka anniversary on Aug 31, let’s remind ourselves, our children and all who love Malaysia to truly know and honour our nation’s three great symbols.
The Rukun Negara, our national philosophy, was proclaimed 45 years ago on Aug 31, 1970, by the fourth Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Ismail Nasiruddin Shah.
The principles enshrined in the Rukun Negara encompass upholding religious values, loyalty to king and country, the supremacy of the Constitution, abiding by the rule of the law and creating a society in which mutual respect, justice and equality prevail.
Negaraku (My Country), was established as our national anthem at the time of our independence in 1957.
The tune was adopted from the state anthem of Perak, Allah Lanjutkan Usia Sultan, we are told on account of the “traditional flavour” of its melody.
A committee, headed by our beloved Bapa Kemerdekaan Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, selected the tune and jointly wrote the new lyrics of the national anthem, as we know it today, with the Tunku himself playing the leading role.
Each time we hear or sing our national anthem, it is meant to inspire patriotic fervour for unity, progress and happiness among all our people and to invoke God’s blessings on our ruler and the people of our nation.
Jalur Gemilang (Stripes Of Glory), our national flag, as it stands today, comprises 14 alternating red and white stripes of equal width, representing the equal status of the 13 states in our country, and the Federal Government and a canton (top corner inset) bearing a 14-point star representing the unity between these entities, and a crescent representing Islam, the country’s official religion.
The blue canton of the flag symbolises the unity of the Malaysian people, while the yellow of the star and crescent is the royal colour of the Malay rulers.
Jalur Gemilang emphasises the values of equality and unity in the nation, loyalty to the rulers and the upholding of religion.
This Merdeka, let’s recognise that it is incumbent upon every Malaysian to appreciate and practise the noble tenets and values that these symbols of our nation signify unity among all, regardless of their ethnic origin or religious or political affiliation.
RUEBEN DUDLEY,PETALING JAYA, SELANGOR