Latest news with #NationalUnity
Barnama
2 days ago
- Politics
- Barnama
National Unity Ministry To Launch Taat Setia Rukun Negara Campaign
PUTRAJAYA, Aug 7 (Bernama) -- The National Unity Ministry will launch a Taat Setia Rukun Negara campaign in conjunction with the 55th anniversary of the Rukun Negara this year. National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang said the campaign is aimed at strengthening national unity through appreciating the principles of the Rukun Negara and to encourage Malaysians, especially youth, to remain true to the country's founding principles and raise public awareness about the importance of loyalty to the country and its Constitution. "We hope that through this campaign, Malaysians will better appreciate and understand the principles of the Rukun Negara as the basis of unity and harmony of the country, and form a MADANI society that is progressive, inclusive and with integrity,' he said in a statement today.
The Sun
7 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
University students key to national unity and social change
KUALA LUMPUR: The role of university students as agents of social change is no longer optional but has become a strategic necessity in driving the future of national unity, said Minister of National Unity Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang. He said they must take a stand as guardians of unity values by firmly rejecting hate rhetoric and narrow ideologies. 'Within campus spaces, they must cultivate the values of understanding, respect, and acceptance — core principles that underpin harmony in a pluralistic society. 'Univerity students should also act as community bridges, transcending racial, religious, and regional boundaries,' he said when closing the 2025 Rukun Negara Secretariat (SRN) Convention here today. Aaron noted that in this dynamic, fast-paced and uncertain era, the challenges to unity today are far more complex than those faced by past generations. 'First, we are faced with the phenomenon of social polarisation, where communities, including youth, live within their own 'social bubbles'. Social media algorithms reinforce existing perceptions and views, weakening opportunities for intercultural dialogue. 'As a result, the gap in understanding between races, religions and social strata continues to widen, ultimately undermining efforts to build a united and harmonious society,' he said. He added that another challenge is the threat of extremism and narrow-minded ideologies, which infiltrate through digital channels, manipulating identity sentiments to sow hatred, reject diversity, and disrupt harmony. In addition, Aaron said there is a loss of national orientation; where some in the younger generation view the Rukun Negara merely as outdated rhetoric rather than as guiding principles for life. 'As a result, several statistics show that youth are among the groups most affected by issues of discrimination and racism. 'According to the *State of Discrimination Survey 2023* by Architects of Diversity Malaysia, 43 percent of Gen Z youth aged 18 to 24 admitted to having experienced discrimination based on ethnicity, skin colour, or dialect — making them the most vulnerable group compared to other age brackets,' he said. - Bernama
The Star
29-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
No need for more laws to curb offensive remarks
KUALA LUMPUR: There is no need to introduce new laws to address those who utter offensive remarks in public, as there are enough mechanisms at present to deal with such cases, says National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang (pic). 'Anyone who intentionally commits any act, incites or issues any statements that threatens racial and religious unity, may be investigated and prosecuted (under existing laws),' he said. He cited laws that could be enforced under the Home Ministry and the Communications Ministry, namely the Penal Code, the Communications and Multimedia Act, the Sedition Act, and the Printing Presses and Publications Act. 'The ministry is of the view that there is no need to create a new law on this,' he said during Question Time in Dewan Rakyat yesterday. Between 2023 and July this year, Aaron said the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) had identified 11,967 content that were 3R-related (religion, race and royalty). 'Out of that amount, a total of 7,673 items have been taken down,' he said . Aaron said the prerogative to take action on 3R content would come under the Communications Ministry through the MCMC. 'While the National Unity Ministry does not have direct enforcement powers, we play an important role through a reformative approach, intervention, mediation and awareness to address sensitive issues involving religion, race and statements filled with hatred,' he added. Aaron said his ministry was monitoring 3R statements through the National Community Complaints Network System (Rakan), where complaints would be channelled to the relevant enforcement authorities for immediate action. Besides that, Aaron said the ministry had a Unity Issue Management Committee which covers 12 ministries and agencies to coordinate action on issues that could affect unity. 'There is also the 'Cakap Baik-Baik' campaign, which aims to educate the people to be more courteous when communicating online,' he added.
The Sun
29-07-2025
- General
- The Sun
Museums transform into learning, social hubs in Malaysia
BALING: Museums are no longer just repositories of artefacts but have evolved into dynamic centres for learning and social engagement, according to Deputy Minister of National Unity K. Saraswathy. Speaking at the Kembara Ilmu Jom Gi Baling community outreach event, she emphasised the shift towards community-based museum management, where public participation plays a key role. 'Through this approach, the community is not merely visitors but also strategic partners in the research, preservation, conservation and development of exhibition content and museum activities,' Saraswathy said. The event, held at Dusun Tok Wak, was part of the national-level International Museum Day Festival. She highlighted that museums serve as collaborative platforms between institutions and the public, fostering a sense of ownership. 'History, heritage, and culture are powerful tools in shaping national identity and strengthening unity among the multiracial Malaysian society,' she added. The community-based museum concept strengthens public involvement in safeguarding cultural heritage, ensuring that local traditions and histories are valued. Saraswathy noted that this approach also promotes intergenerational knowledge exchange, allowing communities to contribute to museum programmes. 'The community-based museum approach not only strengthens the relationship between cultural institutions and the public but also helps preserve the identity of communities often sidelined from the mainstream,' she said. The Kembara Ilmu Jom Gi Baling programme, organised by the Ministry of National Unity and the Department of Museums Malaysia, featured activities such as visits to Gua Sireh and the Baling Negotiation Gallery, along with food basket distributions to the Kensiu Orang Asli community and asnaf individuals. – Bernama
Barnama
29-07-2025
- General
- Barnama
Museums Evolving Into Hubs For Learning, Social Engagement
BALING, July 29 (Bernama) -- Evolving with the times, the role of museums has gone beyond storing and displaying artefacts to becoming centres for learning and social engagement, said Deputy Minister of National Unity, K. Saraswathy. She said the museum within the community concept emphasises active public involvement in various aspects of museum management and activities. 'Through this approach, the community is not merely visitors but also strategic partners in the research, preservation, conservation and development of exhibition content and museum activities,' she said at the opening of the Kembara Ilmu Jom Gi Baling community outreach in conjunction with the national-level International Museum Day Festival at Dusun Tok Wak, near here, today. Also present were Department of Museums Malaysia director-general Datuk Kamarul Baharin A Kassim, Kedah Museum director Suhaidi Syukri and Baling district officer Yazlan Sunardie Che Yahaya. Saraswathy said museums serve as a collaborative platform between institutions and the community, adding that initiatives such as the Kembara Ilmu Jom Gi Baling are laudable efforts to foster a sense of ownership among the public. "History, heritage, and culture are powerful tools in shaping national identity and strengthening unity among the multiracial Malaysian society. 'Through this community-based museum concept, public involvement in safeguarding cultural heritage can be strengthened…where they feel that their heritage, culture and history are valued and protected,' she said, stressing that intergenerational knowledge exchange can also be fostered, providing communities with the space to voice their views in the development of museum programmes and activities. 'The community-based museum approach not only strengthens the relationship between cultural institutions and the public but also helps preserve the identity of communities often sidelined from the mainstream,' she said, emphasising that the concept reflects the transformation of museums into more inclusive entities that foster greater awareness of identity and history among the people. The Kembara Ilmu Jom Gi Baling programme was organised by the Ministry of National Unity through the Department of Museums Malaysia, in collaboration with the Kedah Museum Board, featuring various activities including visits to Gua Sireh, Baling Negotiation Gallery, distribution of food baskets to the Kensiu Orang Asli community in Ulu Legong and asnaf individuals from the Siong sub-district.
