FACULTY OF EDUCATION AND LANGUAGES

OUMH1303ENGLISH FOR ORAL COMMUNICATION

MALAYSIAN’S UNDERSTANDING OF THE ONEMALAYSIA CONCEPT

Semester September 2009

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

1.0 Introduction 2

2.0 Findings 4

3.0 Conclusion 10

Appendix (1 & 2) 12

References 14

Page 1

“Malaysians’ Understanding of the OneMalaysia Concept”.

1.0 Introduction

Malaysians, for years have accepted our differences and recognized the

differences as our strength. However, along these times, these differences

have evolute into divisive forces. It has been raised to such extent that we

negotiate for everything, based on race, language and creeds. Instead of

accepting our differences, we have become narrow-minded.

Due to these diminishing tolerances among Malaysians, OneMalaysia

Concept with its slogan, “People First, Performance Now” was introduced

by Dato’ Seri Mohd Najib Bin Tun Abdul Razak, the 6th Prime Minister of

Malaysia on 2nd April 2009. The essence of this concept was of the idea of

one nation irrespective of ethnic diversity, sub-ethnic and culture.

Notably, OneMalaysia Concept is not a new idea but a concept to

complement the existing approaches and a continuation of what have

been uphold by the previous prime ministers (see Appendix 1). It was

introduced with the

“objective of maintaining and improving national unity which has

been the strength of the Nation and its people, revitalizing the spirit

of national unity amongst Malaysian which has played a vital role in

developing our country since independence, and developing the

Nation through human development which can only be achieved

through racial tolerance”1.

The concept was based on 8 values which are:

1. Perseverance

2. Acceptance

1 1 Malaysia. Bahagian Penerbitan Dasar Negara. (2009). Matlamat 1Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur: Jabatan Penerangan Malaysia.

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3. Education

4. Integrity

5. Meritocracy

6. Humility

7. Loyalty

8. Culture of Excellence

The objective of this assignment is to study the understanding of

Malaysians of this “OneMalaysia Concept”.

Series of interviews using standard open-ended questions have been

used as a study method. Questions were:

1. What do you know about OneMalaysia?

2. What does it mean to you?

3. What are the examples of OneMalaysia that you can see

around you?

4. What will it take to build OneMalaysia?

5. How can we improve national unity according to the

OneMalaysia spirit?

6. What are the obstacles to the success of OneMalaysia?

7. Do you think OneMalaysia concept will be successful or just

another fancy slogan? and

8. Do you know the slogan of OneMalaysia?

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Ten (10) respondents between the ages of 24 to 54 years old from three

(3) main races in Malaysia have been interviewed, based on the standard

questions listed above (see Appendix 2).

2.0 Findings

From the interviews carried out with the ten (10) respondents, we have

noted the following findings:

Question 1. What do you know about OneMalaysia?

With the exception of one (1) respondent, nine respondents

knew that it was a concept introduced by the Dato’ Seri

Mohd Najib Bin Tun Abdul Razak - Prime Minister of

Malaysia. Those who knew what OneMalaysia is, also

understood that the concept is to promote unity or

togetherness among Malaysians, with two (2) respondents

stressing out that it is a continuation of old “Muhibbah”

concept (see Chart 1 below).

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Question 2. What does it mean to you?

Only five (5) respondents felt that it is a good concept. The

other four (4) respondents felt that it does not mean anything

to them, while 1 respondent was unaware of the concept

itself.

Respondents who felt that it is a good concept have also

noted that it is good for the benefit of all Malaysians and the

country. They also believed that it wouldl promote caring and

unity or togetherness. However, one (1) respondent felt that

it should always come from the person himself and not

because of being directed to do so (see Chart 2 below).

Question 3. What are the examples of OneMalaysia that you can see

around you?

Two (2) respondents were unaware of any examples around

them that could be related to the concept while the one who

was unaware of the concept itself, surprisingly noted that

festivals were examples of OneMalaysia concept.

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The other seven (7) respondents related the OneMalaysia

concept to their surroundings such as workplace,

neighbourhoods, places where they frequent and even food

and festivals.

Question 4. What will it take to build OneMalaysia?

Most respondents believed that it should start from oneself.

They felt that it would take commitments, cooperation and

compromising among races and to some extent, sacrificing

one’s rights for the benefits of others. Interestingly, one (1)

respondent strongly believed that to build OneMalaysia, the

existing racial based parties should be scrapped and the

Government of Malaysia should be composed of people with

capabilities and not simply based on race.

On the other hand, one (1) respondent who was unaware of

the concept, assumed that, to build OneMalaysia will require

support from all.

Question 5. How can we improve national unity according to the

OneMalaysia spirit?

Two (2) of the respondents believed that national unity

should be emphasized from early childhood. Of these two

(2), one (1) respondent felt that there is a need to revamp

the existing education system while the other one (1) felt that

unity concept can be instilled through children’s activities,

where every race will be involved.

Three (3) respondents believed that national unity can be

improved through participation of every walk of life, while

two (2) respondents felt that leaders (irrespective of races)

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must show an example and be willing to come down to the

masses to explain the benefits of unity.

One (1) respondent had emphasized that national unity

could be improved by continuously adhere to the existing

culture, norms and values without forgetting that we are

Malaysians, while the other one (1) respondent believed on

the hands-on approach such as workshops for the public, to

build their sense of belonging to the nation.

One (1) politically motivated respondent however felt that to

improve the national unity according the OneMalaysia spirit,

the system itself should be less racial (see Chart 3 below).

Question 6. What are the obstacles to the success of OneMalaysia?

Four (4) respondents believed that the obstacles to the

success of the OneMalaysia started from oneself, such as,

too protective of one’s race, lack of respect of another

person’s race, mere rhetoric and emphasizing much on self-

interest.

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One (1) respondent blamed it on the existing system which

he believed was too rooted, that hindered the Prime Minister

from moving forward, while four (4) respondents blamed it to

the negative-thinkers and radicals.

One (1) respondent, when being questioned on the

obstacles to the success of OneMalaysia however, could not

provide the answer to it as he himself was unaware of

OneMalaysia concept (see Chart 4 below).

Question 7. Do you think OneMalaysia concept will be successful or

will it just be another fancy slogan?

Eight (8) out of the ten (10) respondents believed that

1Malaysia concept will be successful. Out of this eight (8),

two (2) respondents felt that it is on the right track while the

other six (6) felt that it will be a long and hard journey, which

needed commitments from all races and sectors of life.

Two (2) respondents were sceptic of the success of

OneMalaysia concept and thought that it will be just another

fancy slogan (see Chart 5 below).

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Question 8. Do you know the slogan of OneMalaysia?

Nine (9) respondents knew the slogan including the sceptics

although they could not recall it.

One (1) respondent who was unaware of the concept itself

however, confirmed that he did not even know the slogan

(see Chart 6 below).

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3.0 Conclusion

It was noted that although the respondents’ understandings of the

OneMalaysia concept was vague, it is still in line with the main aspect of

the said concept, which is “to respect and accept one another, irrespective

of one’s race”.

Regardless of the ages, races and geographical locations of the

respondents, the acceptance of the OneMalaysia concept is high, even

though with some reservation of its success. The respondents understood

the need of full commitment from all races and had identified those

negative thinkers or radicals as the main obstacle to the success of this

OneMalaysia concept.

Unfortunately, after all the efforts that are taken by the Government to

promote the OneMalaysia concept, there are still Malaysians who are

unaware or ignorant of it. This study had successfully identified that, from

a sample of ten (10) respondents selected, one respondent was found to

be unaware of the said concept.

From the study, the following OneMalaysia concept can be better

understood by Malaysians if:

The leaders are approachable and willing to go down, even to the

rural areas to explain the benefits of OneMalaysia Concept.

More awareness campaigns being carried out. These campaigns

should focus more on the benefits of One Malaysia Concept.

Efforts are increased in approaching people, who are illiterate and

located in areas that are out of mass media coverage.

Medias used such as commercials, must portray “feel good”

feelings which, for OneMalaysia Concept, will be “People 1st”.

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More activities that require the participation of all races and walks

of life being organised. Examples are, “Sukan Rakyat”, “Gotong

Royong”, “Rumah Terbuka” tradition and etcetera.

The existing education system is revamped and a single school

system be introduced instead.

Malaysians think, speak and act as one. These will create the

feelings of belonging to one country, equally and without

discrimination.

As a closure, a phrase extracted from the website is hereby attached for

us to ponder,

“the premise is that, to have a real unity – people must unite – and

people will only unite under 2 circumstances: the first is, people

unite in a cause that they believe in and the second is, people unite

because of a common enemy / threat”2.

Appendix 1 – “Ungkapan Perdana”

2 Minda Cergas. (2009). What will it take to build 1Malaysia. [Online]. Available: http://mindacergas.wordpress.com/. [2009, October 20].

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Appendix 2 – Questionnaires (attached)

Page 12

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References

Malaysia. Bahagian Penerbitan Dasar Negara. (2009). 1Malaysia, Rakyat didahulukan, Pencapaian diutamakan. Kuala Lumpur: Jabatan Penerangan Malaysia.

Minda Cergas. (2009). What will it take to build 1Malaysia. [Online]. Available: http://mindacergas.wordpress.com/. [2009, October 20].

Malaysia. Jabatan Penerangan Malaysia. (2009). Info Penggerak Minda rakyat:UngkapanPerdana (3rd ed.).Kuala Lumpur: Jabatan Penerangan Malaysia.

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