>> MIM Speaks
MANAGING A NEW LIFESTYLE FOR YOUTHS
FEB 26, 1995 -
THE STAR
A NEW confidence is in the air. This has to do with our youths
joining the Rakan Muda programme. It has certainly caught
their attention since the Rakan Muda lifestyles was launched
last year. our youths are being exhorted to give up their
negative lifestyle such as drug taking, lepak, bohsia and
loose-living and opt for the 10 different lifestyles offered
by the programme. The bottom line is that the youths must
choose from the 10 based on the yes-we-can philosophy.
The programme represents a bold experiment to get our youths
to take part in as many different activities as possible. They
are being asked to decide for themselves and make the choice
of the lifestyles with a view to relating the choice to their
future. They are also being told that they hold the future in
their own hands. All they have to do now is to reach for the
stars and keep their dreams alive. The Rakan Muda lifestyles
will provide them with a good beginning to change their lives.
The challenge has now been posed and the youths must respond.
Let us consider the 10 lifestyles under the programme and
relate them to the vision that we would like to see emerging
in the future for out youths: Spor Participation in sporting
activities is still the best way to ensure allround fitness
for the body and mind. The positive qualities like
team-building, leadership and a give-and-take attitude, can
all be cultivated in our youths. Those that distinguish
themselves can be encouraged to represent the state or the
nation in the various sports that they excel in. The country
will benefit from having a pool of sporting talents to choose
from.
Martial Arts
Allied to sports, the mental Sand spiritual discipline that is
taught in martial arts can develop the youths into reliable
and responsible members of society. The mental alertness
learned from the various art forms of self defence will
prepare them to face the challenges of their lives. The
acquisition of skills will make our youths more confident to
contribute to nation building.
Environment
What is emphasised here is not to get the youths to go back to
nature but rather to instil in them a responsible attitude
towards the environment. Above all this will make them realise
the delicate balance that exists between Man and Nature. This
balance must be maintained in order to preserve our lives. The
youths are also required to do their part to protect the
environment by participating in environment-friendly
activities.
Cultrure
Youths are encouraged to explore and develop their talents in
the arts and culture. They are well-advised to do so in order
to have a well balanced personality. The development of the
senses by exposure to the arts will also expand their mental
faculties and hence improve their creative powers. Since
Malaysia is a multi-cultural country, they must also be made
aware of the rich and diverse cultural heritage of the various
people in the country.
Innovation
Our youths are called upon to develop their innovative and
inventive skills. From here they can contribute to bringing
about a knowledgeable society. Youths must realise that
learning is a continuous process and for Malaysia to be
competitive in the global arena, our youths must be able to do
things in a different way. As required by Vision 2020, a
scientific and technological society will only come about if
our youths can prepare themselves from now. Entrepreneurship
The purpose of this lifestyle is to develop our youths to
become selfreliant and independent. They are challenged here
to develop the necessary attributes to realise the national
goals of becoming an industrialised country by the year 2020.
Having entrepreneurial skills will enable our youths to plan
for the future by taking calculated risks and become
responsible for their actions.
Physical Fitness
The essence here is that a healthy body will lead to a sound
mind. our youths are encouraged to develop their endurance and
stamina through participation in physical fitness activities.
Such programmes as adventure-learning and Outward Bound
activities are good examples of the physical fitness regime.
The aim of this lifestyle is to make our youths fit and
resilient to shoulder the heavy responsibilities they will
assume in the future.
Community Service
A necessary tool for growing up is to be aware of the
responsibility of community service. As youths they are
expected to take part in community development programmes for
the elderly and the disabled. They must become aware of the
need to be charitable when required. They are also expected
to put in their share of social services whenever necessary.
Parents must play their part to get the youths involved in
society's mission to assist in solving its problems.
Recreation
Similar to the third lifestyle of environment, youths'
involvement in recreational activities is supposed to make
them able to manage their time effectively. They must be made
aware of the need to have a good mix between work and leisure.
Time management will enable our youths to programme their
lives more usefully. The feeling for recreation will also
enable them to fashion their behaviour and cultivate a better
personality. Through recreation our youths can develop a
strong love for various hobbies and other free-time
activities.
Uniformed Corps
This is considered the best form of training for leadership.
The intention is to get our youths to match mettle and brains.
The discipline afforded by taking part in a uniformed corp
activity will benefit the youths both mentally and
psychologically. The training will also enable them to be more
self reliant.
We have discussed the 10 lifestyles in order to understand the
intrinsic value of each and its relation to the others.
Ideally, all the 10 lifestyles should be present in each and
every person. It is believed the person can then become a true
man. For our youths, these lifestyles will provide them with
good alternatives in building their future lives. In short,
they must allow the 10 lifestyles to shape their way of life.
The success of the Rakan Muda programme will need the support
of parents as well. It is incumbent upon them to become models
upon which the children can build up their lifestyles. Parents
can modify the different lifestyles to suit their needs. At
the same time, the 10 lifestyles should also be introduced in
schools and other educational institutions. Additionally,
civic and social organisations will do well to organise
activities based on the 10 lifestyles. It is also suggested
that the government apply a similar programme into its
rehabilitation, counselling and correctional activities. It is
gratifying to note that already attempts have been made to
evolve a Rakan Muda type of activity in the religious, moral
and ethical fields. This is a worthy cause indeed. It shows
that we are ready to develop a good thing out of the Rakan
Muda idea.
As to the future, there is much we can hope for. It is to make
the 10 lifestyles a foundation for the development of a new
way of life for all Malaysians and not only for the youths.
|
