National Unity Ministry to conduct third IPNas this year

JOHOR BAHRU - National Unity Ministry will carry out the National Unity Index Survey (IPNas) for the third time this year to assess the level of unity of the multi-racial communities in the country.

National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang said the IPNas, conducted together with the Institute of Ethnic Studies (Kita), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) last year, showed an increase in the level of national unity to 0.62 compared to 0.57 in 2018.

"We found that there is an increase in the level of unity of the multi-racial society in this country. Now we also have a new slogan which is Unity Government and Malaysia Madani, so we take that opportunity to enhance the unity of the people.

"For that, we have prepared a unity framework that focuses mainly on two aspects, culture and community. We will leave other aspects such as the economy and legislation to the respective ministries," he told reporters after officiating the 'Ramah Tamah Uniti Kaamatan dan Gawai 2023‘ programme at Dewan Taman Mawar, Pasir Gudang here, last night.

Also present was Johor Health and Unity Committee chairman Ling Tian Soon.

Aaron hopes that the IPNas that will be implemented soon will show that the level of unity is on the rise line with the establishment of the Unity Government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He said hat in order to achieve that, the government will bring back various programmes such as ‘Program Semarak Kenegaraan’, ‘Program Semarak Perpaduan’ and ‘Program Semarak Rahmah’ to enhance unity among Malaysians.

" 'Semarak Kenegaraan' includes reciting the Rukun Negara pledge. In the past, it was often practised at the school level but after that it dissipated, so we want to bring that back.

" ‘Semarak Perpaduan’ is much like the 'Unity Walk' programme and 'Semarak Rahmah' at the level of the Rukun Tetangga Community (KRT) which will bring together people of all races in one community to do activities together," he said.

On today's programme, Aaron said it symbolised the unity of the multiracial society in Malaysia.

"It is estimated that 35,000 people from Borneo live in Johor and I am very proud of the spirit of the Johoreans who emphasise the aspect of togetherness and belonging in accepting the cultural diversity in Malaysia.

"Many Sabahans and Sarawakians are residents of this state, so this celebration is held to celebrate those who cannot go home to celebrate (their festivals) in their hometowns," he added. - BERNAMA