Internalization of Islamic Values in The Rukun Negara Towards Strengthening Ethnic Unity in Malaysia
Penghayatan Nilai Islam dalam Rukun Negara ke Arah Memperkukuh Perpaduan Kaum di Malaysia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24191/idealogy.v11i2.967Abstract
Ethnic unity is the fundamental basis of Malaysia's stability and development as a nation-state characterised by ethnic, religious, and cultural diversity. The Rukun Negara, proclaimed in 1970 following the May 13, 1969, incident, was formulated as a national philosophy to foster unity, build a national identity, and ensure the nation's sustainability. Its principles comprise Belief in God, Loyalty to the King and Country, Supremacy of the Constitution, the Rule of Law, and Courtesy and Morality. At the same time, the position of Islam as the religion of the Federation (Article 3 of the Federal Constitution) provides a foundation for universal values that can contribute to social cohesion within a plural society. Islamic values such as tawhid (the oneness of God), justice (‘adl), brotherhood (ukhuwah), tolerance (tasāmuḥ), and cooperation (ta‘āwun) are universal in nature and can be embraced by people of all ethnic and religious backgrounds. This study employs a qualitative approach using content analysis of official documents, the Federal Constitution, the Rukun Negara text, and academic literature. The findings reveal a strong integration between the two, thereby establishing a framework of shared values that can strengthen social harmony. Nevertheless, several challenges in its implementation towards fostering societal unity, including the misinterpretation of the position of Islam, ethnic polarisation, political manipulation, and the low level of appreciation and internalisation among members of society. Therefore, this study proposes integrated values education, interfaith dialogue, inclusive government policies, and ethical media engagement as strategies to further strengthen this integration. Overall, this article emphasises that Islam, as the religion of the Federation, is not an obstacle but rather a source of universal values that are consistent with the Rukun Negara in fostering ethnic unity in Malaysia.
Keywords: Islam; Rukun Negara; Ethnic Unity; National Ideology; Malaysia
ABSTRAK
Perpaduan kaum merupakan asas utama kestabilan dan pembangunan Malaysia sebagai sebuah negara bangsa yang berbilang kaum, agama, dan budaya. Rukun Negara yang diisytiharkan pada tahun 1970 selepas peristiwa 13 Mei 1969 telah dirangka sebagai falsafah kebangsaan untuk memupuk perpaduan, membina identiti nasional, dan menjamin kelangsungan negara. Prinsip-prinsipnya merangkumi Kepercayaan kepada Tuhan, Kesetiaan kepada Raja dan Negara, Keluhuran Perlembagaan, Kedaulatan Undang-undang, serta Kesopanan dan Kesusilaan. Pada masa yang sama, kedudukan Islam sebagai agama Persekutuan (Perkara 3, Perlembagaan Persekutuan) memberi asas kepada nilai sejagat yang mampu menyumbang kepada perpaduan masyarakat majmuk. Nilai-nilai Islam seperti tauhid, keadilan (‘adl), ukhuwah (persaudaraan), tasāmuḥ (toleransi), dan ta‘awun (kerjasama) bersifat universal dan boleh diterima oleh semua kaum serta agama. Kajian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan kaedah analisis kandungan terhadap dokumen rasmi seperti Perlembagaan Persekutuan, teks Rukun Negara, dan kajian-kajian akademik. Dapatan kajian menunjukkan wujud integrasi yang kukuh antara nilai-nilai Islam dan Rukun Negara, sekali gus mewujudkan kerangka nilai bersama (shared values) yang dapat memperkukuh keharmonian sosial. Namun, beberapa cabaran dalam penghayatannya ke arah perpaduan masyarakat termasuk salah tafsir terhadap kedudukan Islam, polarisasi kaum, manipulasi politik, serta tahap penghayatan yang rendah. Oleh itu, kajian ini mencadangkan pendidikan nilai bersepadu, dialog antara agama, dasar kerajaan inklusif, dan peranan media beretika sebagai strategi ke arah pengukuhan integrasi ini. Secara keseluruhannya, artikel ini menegaskan bahawa Islam sebagai agama Persekutuan bukanlah halangan, tetapi menjadi sumber nilai sejagat yang selari dengan Rukun Negara untuk membina perpaduan kaum di Malaysia.
Kata Kunci: Islam; Rukun Negara; Perpaduan Kaum; Ideologi Kebangsaan; Malaysia
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