Officially Launching I Am Malaysian – 5 Rangkap Forum/Art Exhibition

From L – R: Mr Mohd Zulfahmee (Senior Assistant Director Shah Alam City Council), Ybrs. Dr. Azmi Sharom (Deputy Chairman of Election Commission Of Malaysia), Ms Amylea Azizan (Malaysian Singer), Mr Zunar (Political Cartoonist) And Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hon Wei Min (Deputy Vice Chancellor of  UOW Malaysia KDU)

By Davin Dhanraj

In light to provide a platform to better understand the principles of the Rukun Negara formulated by National Consultative Council, UOW Malaysia KDU Student Alumni Centre united students by launching ‘I am Malaysian: 5 Rangkap Forum’, a collaboration with Majlis Bandaraya Shah Alam (MBSA), in conjunction with their programme ‘BUAL’. The event comprised an art exhibition and an interactive session between students and carefully selected speakers that touched on topics concerning the five principles of RUKUN NEGARA and its origins. The infographic art exhibition served as platform to showcase the five constitutions of the Rukun Negara and the story behind it.

The forum included intellectual and reputable speakers such as YBRS. Dr. Azmi Sharom, Deputy Chairman of Election Commision of Malaysia, ZUNAR (Zulkiflee Anwar Haque), Political Cartoonist , Amylea Azizan, Malaysian Singer, Songwriter and Producer and was graced by the presence of Mohd Zulfahmee bin Ismail, Community Development Department, Shah Alam City Council and Associate Professor Dr Hon Wei Min, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC) – Academic of UOW Malaysia KDU University College.

Present at the event, Associate Professor Dr Hon Wei Min, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC) – Academic of KDU University College said,

“ I am Malaysian’ programme was first introduced in 2017, by SAC. We have done this for a few years, and for this year, the theme is ‘5 Rangkap’. Here in UOW Malaysia KDU we have the UOW Malaysia KDU Youth Empowerment Plans (KYEP) initiatives parked under SAC. One of the pillars, UOW Malaysia KDU Culturation, encourages student to embrace their cultural values and understand how it could influence other cultures as well, where the ‘I am Malaysian: 5 Rangkap’ programme fits in ”.

She highlighted that it is important for students to appreciate the Rukun Negara in order to maintain a democratic way of life and building a progressive society altogether.

The Rukun Negara, which comprise Belief in God, Loyalty to the King & Country, Upholding of the Constitution, Rule of Law and lastly, Decorum & Morality, acts as a national ideology to principles of living policies to be used as a guide. It is an arrangement of ways of group living that contains values of nationhood as it covers all aspects of life.

During the forum, students were granted opportunities to express their concerns and challenges of implementing and practicing these principles in their daily lives and activities. After an insightful discussion, the anticipated moment arrived as everyone gathered to witness the official launch of ‘I am Malaysian: 5 Rangkap Forum’. Students were then treated to an awe-inspiring performance by Amylea Azizan and her talented guitarist, Megat.

UOW Malaysia KDU has the believe that the multiracial identities in Malaysia should be cherished as a valuable aspect of the world. UOW Malaysia KDU Culturation fits the picture as it educates UOW Malaysia KDU students to embrace their own cultural ideologies, values and understand how their own culture may influence other culture, spark awareness to UOW Malaysia KDU students on cultural practices and its importance, and provide exposure and experience to UOW Malaysia KDU students through hands on activities. This was indeed an eye-opening and insightful experience for these students!