KUALA LUMPUR – Twelve new members have been appointed to the National Unity Advisory Council (MPPN) for the 2025–2027 term.
The new appointees include a diverse mix of community leaders, non-governmental organisation (NGO) representatives, academics, cultural figures, corporate personalities, and delegates from Sabah and Sarawak.
The appointments were announced during today’s MPPN meeting, which was chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof and attended by National Unity Minister Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang.
Among those appointed are Datuk Dr Johan Arriffin Abd Samad, chairman of the Sabah Action Body Advocating Rights (SABAR); Datuk Dr Ramzah Dambul, CEO of the Institute for Development Studies (IDS) Sabah; and Prof Datuk Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi, director of the Academy of Malay Studies Centre for Malay Excellence Studies at Universiti Malaya.
Other notable appointees include Prof Datu Dr Neilson Ilan Anak Mersat, chairman of the Dayak Cultural Foundation, and Ainon Kuntom, trustee of the Women’s Institute of Management.
The National Unity Ministry (KPN) explained that the council serves as a platform for advising the government on national unity matters, facilitating discussions on social cohesion, and recommending solutions to unity challenges.
The statement also highlighted the council’s achievements, noting that between 2020 and 2025, MPPN held eight meetings, contributing to the development of several significant policies and initiatives, including the National Unity Policy, the National Unity Action Plan 2021–2030, the implementation of the Rukun Negara pledge at government events, and the Tabika Perpaduan Early Childhood Education Plan 2021–2030.
Additional initiatives resulting from MPPN’s work include the Rukun Negara Appreciation Module, the MADANI Unity Integration Movement Programme, and the reinstatement of the National Service Training Programme (PLKN).
Minister Aaron stressed that the ministry is tasked with leading Pillar D1 (Nation-Building) under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) for 2026–2030, with a focus on fostering a sovereign, dignified, and cohesive nation to ensure lasting harmony and stability.
He further added that KPN is currently drafting the Nation-Building Action Plan, which will be followed by a Nation-Building Conference next year. – December 2, 2025