The Rukun Negara (also spelled Rukunegara; Malay for "National Principles") is the Malaysian declaration of national philosophy instituted by royal proclamation on Merdeka Day, 1970, in reaction to a serious race riot known as the 13 May Incident, which occurred in 1969. The incident proved at that time that Malaysian racial balance and stability was fragile. Immediately thereafter, the Malaysian government sought ways to foster unity among the various races in Malaysia. One of the methods used to encourage unity is the Rukun Negara. The word Rukun Negara can refer to the whole declaration, the words after the preamble (beginning Maka kami...) or the five principles alone. The formulation of the principles of the Rukun Negara was the efforts of the National Consultative Council (Majlis Perundingan Negara or MAPEN), headed by Tun Abdul Razak. The aim of the Rukun Negara is to create harmony and unity among the various races in Malaysia. Thereafter, the New Economic Policy (1971-1990) was launched in 1971, the aim was to create unity among the various races in Malaysia, through economic equality, via the reduction of the economic gap among the Malays and Bumiputera, with that of the Chinese and Indian communities in Malaysia. The Rukun Negara bears similarity to the Pancasila national ideology/philosophy of neighbouring Indonesia. History 13 May Incident On the 13 May 1969, three days after the 3rd general election, whereby the opposition parties made gains at the expense of the ruling coalition, a racial riot occurred in the nation, mainly in Kuala Lumpur. According to the government's report, 196 people were killed during the riot, while Western diplomatic sources suggested a toll close to 600. The riot had led to the government declaring a state of national emergency in the country and imposing a nationwide curfew. Following the declaration of emergency, the National Operations Council (NOC) or Majlis Gerakan Malaysia (MAGERAN) in Malay was formed and acted as the administrative body of the country for the following 18 months. With the aim of restoring law and order in the country, the NOC implemented various security measures nationwide, this includes the suspension of newspaper publications, arresting of several individuals and the suspension of certain parts of the constitution. Formation of National Consultative Council The National Consultative Council, NCC (Majlis Perundingan Negara in Malay) was formed on January 1970. The council consisted of the ministers of the NOC, representatives from state governments, political