1 Malaysia Concept

During my Sociology of Education class, we were given the task to write about Reflective Writing. It is something related to main theory of sociology. This is my writing:

Everyday we hear on the television, billboard, radio, and so on about 1 Malaysia concept. How far we know about 1 Malaysia concept? What is the hidden meaning inside the slogan? Why the government emphasize the slogan “People First, Performance Now” in the workplaces, schools, and government administration system? This entire question can be answered when we focus to one of the major theory in sociology, which is Structural Functional Theory.

In Structural Functional Theory, there are several major institutions that made the society, which are family, religion, education, economics, politics and health. As the Structural Functional Theory stressed on the function of individual towards the society, every individual has his or her own function that makes the society become balance. To develop each function, we need one of the major institutions, which is education. Functionalist Durkheim stressed on education in society by emphasize “the importance of education in creating moral values as the foundation of society,” (Ballatine & Hammack, 2009). Therefore, to develop the spirit of 1 Malaysia, our education system has changed to become more national integration based activity.

Apart from that, Structural Functional Theory also stated that once a change in social institutions occurs, it would affect the other institutions. Hence, our government convey this ideology or concept through education in order wishing that it would affect other institutions to make our society become better than our situation before independent. However, there is institution that cannot be disturbed in our plural society, which is religion. Therefore, the government only target the 5 society’s institutions to be improved.

If we see one by one of the society institutions that we can relate to 1 Malaysia concept, for example institution of health. Everyone has their own special ability or skilled in certain field. When we cooperate, we can help each other. For the health perspective, we can help someone regarding his or her race or ethnics when they have health problem and so on. In addition, it would make a huge difference if the expert in medical do volunteer work to the rural area which minority of the ethnics there could not access to good facilities such as transport facility to get good health treatment. This action will improve health institution among our society.

The main purpose of 1 Malaysia concept is to gain national unity and tolerance in ethnics relation. The slogan, “People First, Performance Now” indicate that in order to have a country that stable in economy, politics and society, all races and ethnics need to integrate. When there is unity among the people, then action to enhance country’s development can be taken.

Besides that, every Malaysian citizen has their ownspecialities, however, they share the same goal that is to have stable and well-develop country. Therefore, by integration and cooperation, each individual can exchange ideas and skills to achieve the goal.

Other than that, according to Structural Functional Theory, societies are held together by shared values, common symbols or systems of exchanges. As we are in the same system and common symbols, government tries to courage our citizens to share values among each other. Besides make it balance, it is also make our society strong either physical or spiritual.

In conclusion, 1 Malaysia concept is good to be implement to the plural society. Therefore, every Malaysian citizens need to apply this concept in the everyday life.