In defence of Pak Lah
Being number two is a sensitive and precarious position. He didn't get to where he is today (all the way from Team B) without patience and skillful political manoeuvering.
If the numero uno is dynamic and convincing, is the deputy supposed to compete and usurp the boss?
Surely one cannot reasonably expect the deputy to moderate and counter the boss? It does not happen in company hierarchies in the private sector just as it does not happen in the government and public sector; see what happens to those earlier three whose ambitions exceeded their positions, and moderation turned to challenge?
It is pure speculation that Abdullah does not understand anything concrete about economics and finance in the age of globalisation.
How do these writers know that he doesn't know anything concrete? That he read from the text based on what the premier-cum-finance minister prepared? But what is wrong with that anyway? Doesn't Dr Mahathir Mohamad have the final say on economic decisions? A leader can always learn on the job. He must be shrewd enough to get the right advisers who know about finance, corporate matters and economics.
I would say that these writers question his capabilities just because they are not happy with his signing the detention orders of the ISA detainees ostensibly at the direction of the boss. Well in the first place, maybe the police had furnished him good grounds.
But even assuming not, you should not fault a man and denigrate his capabilities just because he has to play the supporting role to the man whom you happen to dislike or disagree with in policies. It is also unsafe to judge how a man will perform in the lead role based on the perception of his performance of the secondary role. In the latter role he cannot show his true mettle.
Amiability does not necessarily connote weakness. Pak Lah may yet prove that he could be a cotton fluff with a hard needle hidden within. It may well be his intention to be underestimated.
