Position Paper 5

“Counselors are the key to the success of the 1 Malaysia concepts”
By: Nor Aslinawati Binti Nawawi (0726078)

With the time changing, we are now being lead by the fifth Prime Minister who has generate and come out with new idea and theme. Based on the previous leadership, he has promoted 1 Malaysia concept in order to make all Malaysian people become one. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said that the 1 Malaysia concept’s ultimate objective is to achieve national unity among its people. He said "In other words, 1 Malaysia is a concept to foster unity in Malaysians of all races based on several important values which should become the practice of every Malaysian. 1 Malaysia is a formula which serves as a prerequisite to ensure realization of the country's aspiration to achieve developed nation status by 2020 if it is assimilated in the people and practiced by society. Here, we can see that our new Prime Minister is truly deeply in making our people be more responsibility and caring towards each other. So, as a counselor can we be the key to the success of the 1 Malaysia concept? How come counseling or counselor be the key to this concept?

Although counseling is relatively new as a profession, but counseling services have been provided for many centuries. Counseling in various forms exists in all human societies around the globe, and the ways it is delivered vary broadly in different cultures and communities. In our life today, the needs of counselors are highly request. It is because that people had started realized that counselors are not for those who have mental illness or disorder, but counselor may play important role in their personal and life development. Counselors are the people who are professional and expert. They are not only listening to the problems but they also can assist clients in exploring their main problems and thinking. Counselor will help client knowing themselves deeply so that they will have right direction in their life. In my opinion, to make this concept be implemented and establish very well, we as a counselor can be the medium in promoting this concept. Counselors are being placed every where in this country especially nowadays, in each school, it is compulsory for them to provide at least a counselor for a school. As we know, in school there are students, teachers, support staff, parents and also the community. I am sure that school can be the first stage for the counselor to spread this new concept to be implemented. With the help by all parties, counselor can create and generate new programs that will unite all of the community in that school. Using all the opportunity given by the community and with the high level of trust toward the counselor, I am believed that counselor can be the key to the success of the 1 Malaysia concepts.

As relate to this 1 Malaysia concept, we know, it will never happen if there is no cooperation between three main races in our country. All of them which are Indian, Chinese and Malay must play their own role in making this concept become true. But, with those misunderstanding between them lately, it will be difficult and hard to do it. As an alternative, counselor can play their roles as they had clear picture in multicultural concept. To be a counselor, there is one subject requirement entitle “Cross-Cultural” where they have to learn as a preparation for them in facing multicultural life when they become as a counselor. Besides, counselors are the key to the success of 1 Malaysia concept because they have power where they can change people perception and the way they are think. They have the ability which people will never think about it. They can create good relationship with other by having good communication between counselors and other. Using all the counseling skills, counselor may instill self awareness in each of their client the important of 1 Malaysia concepts and make them understand how important that concept to themselves, races, religions as well to the country itself. With that knowledge, counselors can help government to promote 1 Malaysia concept which can be accepted by all races using the right and suitable methods and ways.

On the other hand, some people may claim that without the counselors this 1 Malaysian concept will still go on. For them, this is our new mission and by hook or by crooked we must proceed even thought without the help of counselors. Government and other parties like printing media, electronic media and other will play their roles to accomplish this concept. They do not event need the counselors. However, those parties will only giving people the basic information only. And most important thing is that not all people will give full commitment on that. It is difficult to make people understand it if only promote it by paper based only. Counselors are not only dealing with the clients but also with the person who are close with the client and also the community around the clients. With this advantages, counselors may explain to them what is 1 Malaysia exactly all about. Begin with the individual then to the family and move to the society as well as to the community. Step by step will be taking in order to promote this concept. It is hope that all the citizens will accept it very well and not too drastic that will bring negetives effect for the country.

As a conclusion, I am strongly believe that counselors are the key to the success of 1 Malaysia concept because they are the one who are knowing people very well and by using their expertise, they can make people realize the important of the concept toward themselves, family, races, religions, society, community as well as to the country.