Youths grateful with forum as platform to debate current issues
Published on: Thursday, October 17, 2019
PAPAR: It may be easy to memorise the five principles of the Rukun Negara (National Principles), but not many can fully grasp and apply those principles in daily life.
Rachael Tung Ven Ven, 20, a student at the National Youth Skills Institute (IKBN) in Kinarut, here, personally attested to this after she saw for herself certain youth who did not to take the Rukun Negara to heart.
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“The last time I recited the Rukun Negara was at elementary school but when I was in secondary school, I never repeated those five principles,” she said.
The fifth principle, Kesopanan dan Kesusilaan (Decency and Morality), has faded in young people’s lives.
“Young people like us need to be constantly reminded that every goal and principle in the Rukun Negara has to be appreciated and practised on a daily basis,” she said.
“Forums, talks and ongoing civic activities can certainly foster the appreciation of the Rukun Negara among youths,” she said.
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Rachael said she appreciates the government’s approach in providing young people a platform for expression such as the Forum Apa Kata Anak Malaysia (Akam): Sayangi Malaysiaku, which is an opportunity for youths to debate current issues.
The Akam Forum programme organised by the Sabah Information Department was aimed at fostering the spirit of patriotism and love of the nation among young people by providing them with the opportunity to bring their aspirations and hopes together to build a peaceful and prosperous nation.
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Meanwhile, one of Akam’s panelists, Mohd Shakendy Ahmad, 21, a freshman at Universiti Malaysia Sabah’s (UMS) in rehabilitatory biology, spoke while raising issues of the Rukun Negara in front of about 500 young people.
According to Shakendy, the platform was fully utilised to encourage young people to rethink the importance of upholding the principles of the Rukun Negara in building a strong country.
“There is no denying that young people are aware of this, so this is an opportunity for me to fully express my views and opinions as a young person.
“There was a lot more that I wanted to say, but time didn’t permit,” he said.
At the same time, he actively produces patriotic videos and uploads them to social media to spread positive messages to youth through his “Share Ler” Facebook page.
Mohd Jikrul Mondongod, 23, also an IKBN student in an electrical course, said he received a lot of useful input through the forum.
“Among these are the issues of social media use which is indeed a phenomenon among young people today,” he said.
“The main message I get is to avoid using social media too much but to use it wisely.
“For example, do not make comments that are harmful to others.”
The forum, which not only discussed the issue of the Rukun Negara, also addressed the impact of social media and the young generation’s contribution to the nation.
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