KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 12 (Bernama) -- The Rukun Negara continues to serve as a moral compass for young people as they face the challenges of the digital age, including those surrounding social media and freedom of expression, according to an academician.
Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Academic Staff Union (MITASA) vice-president and Faculty of Law senior lecturer Dr Adlan Abdul Razak said the Rukun Negara was not simply a set of principles to be memorised, but one that should be embraced and applied in daily life, particularly when receiving, evaluating and sharing information online.
“The principles of the Rukun Negara are also important in shaping young people who can exercise their freedom of expression responsibly, without crossing legal boundaries or offending the sensitivities of a multiracial society.
“Young people are becoming more aware of the platforms available to express their views, including through rallies and dialogue. However, such freedom must be exercised with an understanding that all actions and statements remain subject to the law,” he said at Bernama Radio’s Atma Merdeka programme here today.
He said youths have a responsibility to verify information before sharing it, particularly when digital technology allows fake audio, videos and other content to be produced easily.
He said understanding the principles of the Rule of Law and Supremacy of the Constitution would help them assess the validity of information and understand the boundaries to observe when using social media.
On the role of educational institutions, Adlan said UiTM’s Faculty of Law was working to raise legal awareness through its Legal Aid Clinic and related initiatives.
“We train students to understand the law and legal awareness, enabling them to share legal information with people in their communities when they return home,” he said.
MITASA and Bernama will jointly organise 20 Atma Merdeka programmes, with the first focusing on the role of young people and the importance of upholding the Rukun Negara during National Month and Malaysia Day 2026.
He said the collaboration aimed to raise public awareness of the significance of independence and the importance of embracing the national spirit.
-- BERNAMA