Readers' Contribution

What is our belief system?

By: HGII Team
 
This is a follow-up question after the question of, "Are we being human?".  
 
In simple term, belief system is what guides an individual and communities to live. 
 
In a community where individual belief systems vary, another guiding principle can help foster harmony among the group. Looking from the viewpoint as a citizen of  Malaysia as a country of multi-ethnicity for example, the forefathers of the country has come out with methods to encourage unity among its people. It is called Rukunegara or Rukun Negara, translated as "the pillars of the nation" or "national principles" as described by Wikipedia.
 
The Rukunegara states that:
 
BAHAWASANYA NEGARA KITA MALAYSIA mendukung cita-cita hendak:
 
> mencapai perpaduan yang lebih erat di kalangan seluruh masyarakatnya;
> memelihara satu cara hidup demokratik;
> mencipta satu masyarakat adil di mana kemakmuran Negara akan dapat dinikmati bersama secara adil dan saksama;
> menjamin satu cara liberal terhadap tradisi-tradisi kebudayaannya yang kaya dan berbagai corak; dan
> membina satu masyarakat progresif yang akan menggunakan sains dan teknologi moden.
 
MAKA KAMI, rakyat Malaysia, berikrar akan menumpukan seluruh tenaga dan usaha kami untuk mencapai cita-cita tersebut berdasarkan atas prinsip-prinsip yang berikut:
> Kepercayaan kepada Tuhan;
> Kesetiaan kepada Raja dan Negara;
> Keluhuran Perlembagaan;
> Kedaulatan Undang-undang;
> Kesopanan dan Kesusilaan.
 
The English transaltion says the following:
 
WHEREAS OUR COUNTRY, MALAYSIA nurtures the ambitions of:
> Achieving a more perfect unity amongst the whole of her society;
> Preserving a democratic way of life;
> Creating a just society where the prosperity of the country can be enjoyed together in a fair and equitable manner;
> Guaranteeing a liberal approach towards her rich and varied cultural traditions; and
> Building a progressive society that will make use of science and modern technology.
 
WE, HER PEOPLES, pledge our united efforts to attain these ends guided by these principles:
> Belief in God;
> Loyalty to King and Country;
> Upholding the Law and Constitution;
> Rule of Law;
> Good Behaviour and Morality>>
 
Malaysian school children in primary and secondary schools, recite this Rukunegara as a pledge weekly during their compulsory assembly. Pledge reading follows immediately after the singing of the Malaysian national anthem, Negaraku.
 
The question that Malaysians can ask is about how to implement this guiding principle into the daily activities transcending the personal space.