Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim today said that any individual who rejects the principles of the Rukun Negara is not worthy of being regarded as a Malaysian citizen.
Sultan Ibrahim said the Rukun Negara, introduced on Aug 31, 1970, serves as a national pledge and commitment by all Malaysians to restore unity and strengthen harmony among the country’s diverse communities.
Rukun Negara must guide daily life
The King urged Malaysians to uphold every principle of the Rukun Negara and practise them as a guide in their daily lives.
He stressed that anyone who refuses to adhere to the principles of the national philosophy should not be considered worthy of being called a Malaysian citizen.
Sultan Ibrahim made the remarks during the investiture ceremony held in conjunction with his official birthday celebration at Istana Negara. Raja Permaisuri Agong Raja Zarith Sofiah was also in attendance.
Among those present were Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his wife Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Cabinet ministers including Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, as well as foreign dignitaries.
Unity remains the foundation of national strength
Sultan Ibrahim said Malaysians must remain united, tolerant and respectful of one another while continuing to uphold the principles of the Rukun Negara.
He said national unity is the foundation of the country’s strength and plays a vital role in ensuring economic progress, racial harmony and long-term stability.
The King also reminded all parties to reflect on the nation’s painful history, particularly the May 13, 1969 racial riots.
He said the unrest occurred when certain groups acted irresponsibly, ignored the sensitivities of others and failed to uphold mutual respect and national sovereignty.
“That incident destroyed the unity of the people and undermined the stability of the country. Do not let history repeat itself,” he said.
Warning against slander and fake news
Sultan Ibrahim also warned against the misuse of social media as a platform to spread slander and hatred among the people.
He noted that the challenge has become more complex with the misuse of artificial intelligence technology to create fake news through deepfake videos.
The King called on the authorities to continue strengthening monitoring efforts and to take appropriate action to curb such activities.
The ceremony marked the third investiture conducted by Sultan Ibrahim since his installation as Yang di-Pertuan Agong on July 20, 2024.
