Kuala Lumpur: The Department of National Unity and Integration (JPNIN) is confident that the National Unity Index (IPNas) value can reach 0.7 this year. Its director-general Datuk Che Roslan Che Daud expressed optimism about achieving this target, following the completion of the third IPNas study to be conducted by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s (UKM) Institute of Ethnic Studies (KITA).

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the first IPNas study in 2018 recorded a score of 0.567, which increased to 0.629 in 2022. Datuk Che Roslan emphasized that the planned programmes for the year would drive the index towards the 0.7 target. He shared these insights after participating as a panellist in the Community Unity and Security Dialogue titled ‘Unity and Peace: Keys to a Safe Community’ at Kampung Baru Pasir Pekan.

The dialogue featured other prominent figures, such as Tumpat police chief ACP Mohd Khairi Shafie and Kelantan National Anti-Drug Agency (AADK) assistant director Zainal Abidin Mamat, and was moderated by Dr Noor Hisham Md Nawi, director of the Centre for Peace and Human Wellbeing Studies at Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK).

Datuk Che Roslan further explained that the foundation of the IPNas development considers social deficits related to social class, religion, education, and language. This year, over 20,000 programmes are planned across 8,529 neighbourhood watch areas nationwide, each required to implement at least eight community-based activities. These initiatives aim to enhance social interactions and effectively communicate government policies, countering negative perceptions that could hinder national unity.

The IPNas measurement scale classifies scores from 0.0 to 0.24 as weak, 0.25 to 0.49 as low, 0.50 to 0.74 as moderate, and 0.75 to 1.00 as high.