By Azwana Ab. Rahman dan Mohd Dasuki Sahak

SERDANG, 14th September - Rukun Negara 50th Anniversary Roadshow Ceremony at Perpustakaan Sultan Abdul Samad, Universiti Putra Malaysia was celebrated with various activities related to Rukun Negara such as reading pledges, video presentation, handing out promotional materials, quizzes, singing songs and exhibitions.

This roadshow program is a collaboration program between the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia, the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) and the Ministry of National Unity to further inspire the spirit of patriotism among Malaysians. The Rukun Negara 50th Anniversary Roadshow Program was held under the new norm in 33 selected libraries and schools in Malaysia. Perpustakaan Sultan Abdul Samad is one of the selected locations for the Rukun Negara 50th Anniversary Celebration Roadshow. This program,  among others, aims to enliven the 50th anniversary celebration of Rukun Negara at UPM.

According to Perpustakaan Sultan Abdul Samad Library (PSAS), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Chief Librarian, Mr. Muzaffar Shah Kassim, the practice of reading the pledge of Rukun Negara has been a routine since school days after being declared on 31 August 1970 in conjunction with Malaysia's 13th Independence Anniversary by His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Almarhum Tuanku Ismail Nasiruddin Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Zainal Abidin, Yang di-Pertuan Agong IV.

He explained that this practice coincides with the suggestion of the late Malaysian Second Prime Minister Tun Abdul Razak Hussein that Rukun Negara should be fully practiced by Malaysians since school and not only be left as a piece of meaningless document.

According to him, the appreciation of the five principles of Rukun Negara is the mainstay of the unity and unification of the Malaysian nation and the selection of the library as the location of the Rukun Negara 50th Anniversary Roadshow is very much in line with the function of the library as a center of information dissemination.

“The library as a local community center is able to disseminate information and pamphlets on the principles of Rukun Negara and statehood as well as the organization of various activities that foster the spirit of unity among the community. As Malaysians who are patriotic, love the country and also the principles of Rukun Negara, we at UPM always fully support such programs "he said.

Meanwhile, the Coordinator of the Rukun Negara 50th Anniversary Celebration Program, Puan Hasnita Ibrahim, Bernama, Information Manager explained that this roadshow program started on 24th August 2020 involving 33 selected locations nationwide and ended on 15th September 2020. Various Rukun Negara related activities are promoted throughout this tour program such as 'Insta Challenge', 'Rukun Negara Hour', Webinar, 'e-Treasure Hunt', Bicara Bicara Seriri and documentaries.

Reading of the Pledge by the guests and officers of the Perpustakaan Sultan Abdul Samad	Bernama Information Manager, Puan Hasnita Ibrahim handed over promotional materials related to the Rukun Negara 50th Anniversary Celebration to Mr. Muzaffar Shah Kassim, Chief Librarian, Perpustakaan Sultan Abdul Samad, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM)	Guests visited the Rukun Negara exhibition held by the Perpustakaan Sultan Abdul Samad

Date of Input: 29/09/2020 | Updated: 29/09/2020 | syafini