I had a profound and rewarding time the other afternoon as I drove my children home from school. My sons who go to a Chinese-medium school and speak and write the language proficiently - unlike their father who attended a missionary school which were ever so popular in the 70s and 80s.

So as always, my children will rattle off in Chinese and the banana (yellow outside, white inside) that I am will have to ask them for translation. Their reply that day brought back fond memories of my schooldays and I was glad to hear that no matter the type of school; there were some things that will always be the foundation for a person's character and growth towards becoming useful and upright citizens.

Their reply showed me that they were learning things that many leaders and politicians today have not learnt. I was glad to explain the meaning of each phrase. Allow me to enlighten you today what they were saying and why it is so simple yet profound. If our leaders and politicians were to live by this, Malaysia would be a better place to live.

I translate:

Kepercayaan Kepada Tuhan - Believe in God

Kesetiaan kepada Raja dan Negara - Loyalty to King and country

Kedaulatan Undang-undang - The rule of law

Keluhuran perlembagaan - The supremacy of the Constitution

Kesopanan dan Kesusilaan - Good behaviour and morality

The Rukun Negara should be a good reminder for our politicians, ministers and leaders. It is obvious in the way they carry themselves, that many have forgotten the foundations of our nation. Our children know it and I am glad. There is hope for our children yet.