Kuala Lumpur: The Ministry of National Unity (KPN) will continue to enhance its efforts to raise awareness and promote a deeper understanding of the importance of unity among Malaysians through inclusive and impactful programmes. Minister Datuk Seri Aaron Ago Dagang emphasized that KPN aims to ensure the continued maintenance of unity in the country, considering the ethnic, cultural, and religious diversity that forms the foundation of the nation's strength.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, in 2024, KPN implemented 730 programmes, including the Semarak Perpaduan, Semarak Kenegaraan, and Komuniti Rahmah clusters. These initiatives serve as a platform for national integration, fostering greater interaction among Malaysians of different races and religions. The minister's comments were made in response to feedback from Prof Dr James Chin, director of the Asia Institute at the University of Tasmania, regarding KPN's relevance.
On the management of unity issues, Aaron revealed that KPN established the Unity Issues Management Committee (JPIP) this year, chaired by the ministry's secretary-general, Datuk Seri Hasnol Zam Zam Ahmad, to review all incidents and unity-related issues in the country. The JPIP's establishment aims to enable KPN to act swiftly in providing feedback and advice to Malaysians, with the first meeting held last January.
The JPIP consists of representatives from various government bodies, including the National Security Council, the Home Ministry, the Royal Malaysia Police, the Communications Ministry, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, the Housing and Local Government Ministry, and the Education Ministry. It also includes representatives from the Southeast Asia Regional Centre for Counter-terrorism, the Youth and Sports Ministry, the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia, the Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia, and several academics.
Aaron mentioned that KPN had implemented several efforts and initiatives in managing unity issues, such as reporting through the eSepakat system, establishing eight community mediation centres, appointing 571 community mediators, and monitoring through the Unity Analytics Dashboard. He also expressed openness to receiving constructive views and suggestions from elected representatives, academics, and the private sector, and is willing to meet with anyone seeking clarification on the unity issue in the country.
The minister stressed that unity is a collective responsibility, requiring active involvement from every level of society, including the private sector, non-governmental organisations, and individuals within the community.