We can all learn a very important lesson from the just-concluded Malaysian General Elections: When you have been in leadership for a very long time and think you are very strong and invincible because of the kind of support backing you, unexpectedly, the carpet will be pulled quickly from under you, and you will fall -- and it will be an undignified fall!
See what has happened to the seemingly unsinkable Barisan Nasional. Overnight, the support that kept them in power for 50 years since independence vanished -- gone, kapputz! They are still reeling from the shock of realising that the support they assumed actually wasn't there.
Some people refer to it as the Hand of God. If it indeed is, He has definitely showed His displeasure and changed the status quo in one fell swoop! Woe on those who resisted! Look how many of them have fallen!
But, I don't think that this wind of change that is blowing through the country is as sudden as people make it out to be. The rumblings of dissent -- sure signs that things are not quite right -- have been there for a while. But, they were ignored, preempted and/or suppressed. And, that was the problem.
Leaders lost touch with the grassroots. They failed -- mainly because they distanced themselves from the people -- to read the signs correctly and early enough to correct themselves and change. They resisted, dug in their heels and entrenched themselves -- some, shamelessly, in the Name of God.
Well, it looks like God has spoken and it would be advisable for incumbent leadership -- especially the long-staying ones -- to take note of what has happened and act swiftly so that the same fate doesn't fall on them.
Recognise and welcome dissent because it offers a chance for change and rejuvenation. Instead of digging in your heels, step back, let go and surrender -- and embrace the changes. You will be showing magnanimity in leadership, something sorely missing in the leadership of today.
Showing posts with label Elections -- March 2008. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Elections -- March 2008. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
We voted for US!
The heroes of the just completed General Elections are no others than US -- the voters! We proved we are kingmakers! And that we are mature and responsible voters ; we protested with one mind and as Malaysians, not just as Malaysian Chinese or Malaysian Malay or Malaysian Indian, and without violence.
For the first time, I am proud to be called simply Malaysian!
Now that the status quo has changed, I have something to say to the new leaders: Please don't blow it! You have been given a chance to govern. Now, prove it that you can -- and well. If you make mistakes, admit them and correct them swiftly. Don't sweep things under the carpet, and, most of all don't hide them from the rakyat. Admit, apologize, correct it and face the consequences and move on.
Voters now realise that they have power and they are going to use it. Just as you were easily put into office, you can be easily -- and unceremoniously -- shown the exit door.
Show your mettle and prove your detractors wrong!
My next post is an open letter to the new Subang Jaya YB Hannah Yeoh. It can be viewed after 6pm tomorrow.
For the first time, I am proud to be called simply Malaysian!
Now that the status quo has changed, I have something to say to the new leaders: Please don't blow it! You have been given a chance to govern. Now, prove it that you can -- and well. If you make mistakes, admit them and correct them swiftly. Don't sweep things under the carpet, and, most of all don't hide them from the rakyat. Admit, apologize, correct it and face the consequences and move on.
Voters now realise that they have power and they are going to use it. Just as you were easily put into office, you can be easily -- and unceremoniously -- shown the exit door.
Show your mettle and prove your detractors wrong!
My next post is an open letter to the new Subang Jaya YB Hannah Yeoh. It can be viewed after 6pm tomorrow.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Time to ACT!
Now that the long festive season is over, I will get down to some serious business!
There are two positive things that we, Malaysians, are enjoying under the Prime Ministership of Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi. Firstly, we are relieved of the frenetic pace at which we moved under his very accomplished predecessor, Tun Dr Mathathir Mohamad, who, goal-driven, drove everyone to move ahead at a galloping speed! I think, maybe, we had had enough of that and was quite glad for Abdullah's laid-back pace.
Secondly, we are seeing -- perhaps, for the first time here in Malaysia -- that with or without leadership, the country will run by itself. Now, I don't know whether that is a sign of leadership or the lack of it. But, one thing is certain: Thanks to the previous leadership who laid the foundation for a stable government, the country has developed to a point that it is no longer dependent on one leader to keep it going.
I think that is a very good sign. There will be no more room for megalomanical leaders. But, unfortunately, for the same reason, a puppet could be running the country and nobody will know the difference. And, that is why, I believe, the March 8 general elections next weekend must be a turning point in our history.
If the government can run by itself, then, that is every reason why the citizen must now be more vigilant because otherwise he or she can be easily duped by a leadership, skilled in the art of corporate public relations, who may spin webs of wool over your eyes and blind you to seeing that his or her leadership really doesn't have much to show.
Since the last general elections, what has Malaysia to show? Plans on paper unveiled with blazing media fanfare. Yet, ordinary people like me still have to dig deep into our pockets to pay our bills, send our children to school and find alternatives all the time to survive because Plan A is always squeezed out by national policies of affirmative action.
We are no longer sure if the future holds prospects that will be better. Or, are things going to get worse and we will have to look for greener options beyond our borders?
If we want change for the better, then it is time to act. I think now is the time for the people to show that we want leaders to serve our needs so that we actually see the benefits in our hands. If they don't, now is the time to throw them out of office! The nation will still run and we will get a better crop of public servants!
Happy voting!
There are two positive things that we, Malaysians, are enjoying under the Prime Ministership of Datuk Seri Abdullah Badawi. Firstly, we are relieved of the frenetic pace at which we moved under his very accomplished predecessor, Tun Dr Mathathir Mohamad, who, goal-driven, drove everyone to move ahead at a galloping speed! I think, maybe, we had had enough of that and was quite glad for Abdullah's laid-back pace.
Secondly, we are seeing -- perhaps, for the first time here in Malaysia -- that with or without leadership, the country will run by itself. Now, I don't know whether that is a sign of leadership or the lack of it. But, one thing is certain: Thanks to the previous leadership who laid the foundation for a stable government, the country has developed to a point that it is no longer dependent on one leader to keep it going.
I think that is a very good sign. There will be no more room for megalomanical leaders. But, unfortunately, for the same reason, a puppet could be running the country and nobody will know the difference. And, that is why, I believe, the March 8 general elections next weekend must be a turning point in our history.
If the government can run by itself, then, that is every reason why the citizen must now be more vigilant because otherwise he or she can be easily duped by a leadership, skilled in the art of corporate public relations, who may spin webs of wool over your eyes and blind you to seeing that his or her leadership really doesn't have much to show.
Since the last general elections, what has Malaysia to show? Plans on paper unveiled with blazing media fanfare. Yet, ordinary people like me still have to dig deep into our pockets to pay our bills, send our children to school and find alternatives all the time to survive because Plan A is always squeezed out by national policies of affirmative action.
We are no longer sure if the future holds prospects that will be better. Or, are things going to get worse and we will have to look for greener options beyond our borders?
If we want change for the better, then it is time to act. I think now is the time for the people to show that we want leaders to serve our needs so that we actually see the benefits in our hands. If they don't, now is the time to throw them out of office! The nation will still run and we will get a better crop of public servants!
Happy voting!
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