How M’sian liberals use Rukunegara vehicle as their left-hand drive
DANIAL ARIFF SHAARI’s second installment of his multi-part series discusses the liberals piggybacking on Rukunegara to try and dilute religious orthodoxy
(TANJAK) – Liberal leftists are seeking to tweak our constitutional framework in order to provide legitimate grounds for introducing liberalism, such as the ideology is understood and practiced in Western countries.
This course of action may eventually succeed in undermining the position of Islam unless we, as Malaysian citizens, show our strength and defend Article 3 as stipulated in the supreme law of the land.
Writing in liberal paper The Star a few days ago, Dr Chandra Muzaffar wants the Rukunegara to be legally binding — see his letter ‘Empower the Rukunegara‘ (6 Jan 2017).
Dr Chandra, who is chairman of the Yayasan 1Malaysia board of trustees, had earlier proposed that Rukunegara be incorporated as preamble to the federal constitution — see Free Malaysia Today (28 Sept 2016) article ‘Rukunegara as preamble to the Constitution‘.
He is convinced that now is the time for the Rukunegara to “be endowed with the force of law”.
The proposal by Dr Chandra was lauded by the “group of eminent Malaysians” G25 — see their statement ‘G25 supports Chandra Muzaffar’s proposal on Rukunegara‘ in Malaysiakini (4 Oct 2016).
It is no surprise that the G25 liberals should very much welcome the suggestion by Dr Chandra.
Sneak attack to overshadow Islam?
The reasons our national philosophy Rukunegara finds favour among Malaysian liberals can be discerned in the text of the declaration, the introduction of which is reproduced below.
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 salsa a;
• 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 [… the five well known precepts then follow].
From the above, it is crystal clear why the words of Rukunegara are music to liberal ears.
The key notions most pleasing to them is contained in the following extract which appears to affirm multiculturism, diversity and liberal traditions.
“…menjamin satu cara liberal terhadap tradisi-tradisi kebudayaannya yang kaya dan berbagai corak…” (emphasis added)
“…a liberal approach towards our rich and varied cultural traditions…”
Inserting the ‘liberal’ ideal disguised as a noble aspiration to uphold Rukunegara may quite possibly throw open the doors for treachery.
There is no guarantee that the liberals will not attempt to eradicate the influence of Islam currently spread over an extensive scope of governance and societal values in our country.
Such attempts to implement a new understanding of the constitution (or rather bring changes to its provisions and insert alien and ‘LIBERAL’ elements) have become a leverage for the leftists within the political parties, liberal groups or public individuals to manipulate and fortify their Islamophobic agenda.
