Kangar: The Rukun Negara Club Ethnic Music Festival serves as a platform to strengthen racial unity and promote appreciation of the Rukun Negara values among the younger generation through art and culture, said Department of National Unity and Integration (JPNIN) Director-General Zulkifli Hashim.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Zulkifli emphasized that the festival illustrates how art and culture transcend entertainment, acting as vital instruments for social and cultural education in fostering a harmonious society. He noted that each musical performance, martial arts demonstration, and ethnic dance conveys values of tolerance, love, and togetherness, essential for nurturing among students.

Zulkifli expressed hope that the Ethnic Music Festival symbolizes the strength of unity in diversity while fostering patriotism and the values of MADANI Malaysia. He encouraged teachers, educators, and students to serve as role models by leveraging cultural activities like this festival to bridge differences and strengthen unity among Malaysians.

He made these remarks while officiating the Perlis state-level festival at Dataran Dato' Sheikh Ahmad. The one-day festival showcased 36 performances from 30 schools, with some schools participating in multiple categories, including traditional music, martial arts, and ethnic dances.

Zulkifli also highlighted that 104 Rukun Negara Clubs have been established in Perlis, involving 74 primary schools and 30 secondary schools, demonstrating the government's ongoing commitment to strengthening unity within the educational sector.