Will Najib dare to make the needed changes?
Mustapha OngPublished: Oct 15, 2008 5:23 PM | Updated: Oct 15, 2008 5:30 PM
Malaysia is currently undergoing a political revolution that will shape the nation’s future and take it to greater heights in the true spirit of nationalism and across the communal divide between the
various races.
There is now a true sense of political belief. The younger generation of today has created a political awareness within the family and across the majority of our society, beyond the realm of
patronage racial politics, and this has survived ever since our independence 51 years ago.
A review of the few decades of post-independence governance by the former and current leadership shows clearly that the existing format of political collaboration within the 13-member
Barisan Nasional will have to be changed in order to enhance the political socio-economic development of this country.
It is not about individualism. We have already seen that even former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamed has not been spared, despite his 22 years of pragmatic management through the
political consensus of the BN government.
Mahathir has been proclaimed as one of the most visionary prime ministers, who had created a new political dimension through his concept of Vision 2020. Mahathir laid down the development foundations in our nation-building process, and he succeeded in what he had intended to do for the people and the country.
Mahathir is a great statesman and a political thinker with his strong nationalistic belief, approach and conviction, which has been well received by the majority of all races. This despite the fact that Mahathir was an ultra-Malay leader and branded as ‘anti-Chinese’ during the start of his colourful political career which began in the 60s.
Mahathir sacrificed a great part of his family life in his attempt to reinstate the mindset of the nation, especially that of the the Chinese that he was not a Malay ultra and was not anti-Chinese
either.
History has proven that many Chinese and Indian Malaysians have benefitted in many ways in the course of nation-building during the Mahathir era. We could not have achieved the level of
development that we have today if his political leadership and governance were absolutely corrupted.
Having said that and as reflected in my earlier sentiments, due credit should go to all our former prime ministers.
The youth of today have demanded changes within the political system and governance beyond the racial landscape. This is desired by the majority of Malaysians who discarded the BN
concept of governance as being no longer acceptable at the turn of this 21st century.
Debates are going on within the family and social circles that Malaysians today need to look forward and change the political landscape in order to guarantee further political, economic and
social freedom and transparency.
The younger generation of today are not convinced that under the present political leadership of Umno/BN, such changes could materialise and be successfully implemented without
undergoing any serious ‘political cleansing’.
All corrupted political leaders and corporate players should be phased out in the coming Najib administration. The million dollar question is whether our prime minister in-waiting with all his
advisers dare to make visionary changes at all levels of political, economic and social fronts.
A more dynamic and transparent cabinet is needed to reinstate the confidence of the people. In a nutshell, Najib has to get rid of all those who are inefficient, corrupt, egoistic and opportunistic.
It is a fact that even Najib’s credibility is being questioned and his reputation tainted, though he may be the most appropriate Umno leader to take over from Pak Lah.
Unless and until there is a political will and unbiased commitment to address the various shortcomings of our political system in the BN, the days of its governance are numbered. The BN will then be buried in the next general election.
It is not a bad idea and politically innovative to build a two-party system, but this only when our politicians and people are matured and ready for a change. We have to face the opposition in
Pakatan Rakyat with one voice without suspicion from today itself if we want to recapture all the states that BN has lost due to rampant money politics, absolute political negligence and scandals.
As a political stakeholder and senior citizen of this country, irrespective of my racial origin, I appeal to all our political leaders in the BN to wake up from their individual perspective and help
to rebuild their eroded road map.
The BN is still relevant and responsible for the continued well-being of all Malaysians. Political aspirants should realign their ambitions and listen to the majority - of which more than 60% are younger and better educated Malaysians.
Political leaders and their advisers should acknowledge that ‘a wise man changes his mind, a fool doesn’t’. After all, political wisdom is nothing more than ‘knowing when to speak your
mind and when to mind your speech’.
I think Najib Abdul Razak has all those qualities to be the next prime minister despite some of overloaded political baggage, though this can be easily resolved with a new team of advisers.
Anyone with a political ambition and elected to office through the parliamentary process can be the prime minister, if he or she possesses the norms and qualities of a good leader, through wisdom and with the help of his advisers and think-tank groups.
Make no mistake, even during Mahathir’s time, he had a string of advisers, including an International Advisory Panel, and a reserved line of corporate gurus to assist him even though he himself is an avid reader and an Netizen.
Individual characters like Ah Chong, Muthu or Ahmad do not really matter as long they are patriotic Malaysians and wish to rebuild this country which is currently in political and economic turmoil.
I am not saying that Najib will trust any Tom, Dick and Harry in his administration, which is about to begin. Just give Najib a chance to run this country as we all know that Malaysia has no
perfect ‘Malay’ leader.
Hopefully this son of Pahang Bugis descent will perform well and deliver a new Malaysia for us as promised on his 1 Malaysia personal website, which is gaining popularity by the day.
various races.
There is now a true sense of political belief. The younger generation of today has created a political awareness within the family and across the majority of our society, beyond the realm of
patronage racial politics, and this has survived ever since our independence 51 years ago.
A review of the few decades of post-independence governance by the former and current leadership shows clearly that the existing format of political collaboration within the 13-member
Barisan Nasional will have to be changed in order to enhance the political socio-economic development of this country.
It is not about individualism. We have already seen that even former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamed has not been spared, despite his 22 years of pragmatic management through the
political consensus of the BN government.
Mahathir has been proclaimed as one of the most visionary prime ministers, who had created a new political dimension through his concept of Vision 2020. Mahathir laid down the development foundations in our nation-building process, and he succeeded in what he had intended to do for the people and the country.
Mahathir is a great statesman and a political thinker with his strong nationalistic belief, approach and conviction, which has been well received by the majority of all races. This despite the fact that Mahathir was an ultra-Malay leader and branded as ‘anti-Chinese’ during the start of his colourful political career which began in the 60s.
Mahathir sacrificed a great part of his family life in his attempt to reinstate the mindset of the nation, especially that of the the Chinese that he was not a Malay ultra and was not anti-Chinese
either.
History has proven that many Chinese and Indian Malaysians have benefitted in many ways in the course of nation-building during the Mahathir era. We could not have achieved the level of
development that we have today if his political leadership and governance were absolutely corrupted.
Having said that and as reflected in my earlier sentiments, due credit should go to all our former prime ministers.
The youth of today have demanded changes within the political system and governance beyond the racial landscape. This is desired by the majority of Malaysians who discarded the BN
concept of governance as being no longer acceptable at the turn of this 21st century.
Debates are going on within the family and social circles that Malaysians today need to look forward and change the political landscape in order to guarantee further political, economic and
social freedom and transparency.
The younger generation of today are not convinced that under the present political leadership of Umno/BN, such changes could materialise and be successfully implemented without
undergoing any serious ‘political cleansing’.
All corrupted political leaders and corporate players should be phased out in the coming Najib administration. The million dollar question is whether our prime minister in-waiting with all his
advisers dare to make visionary changes at all levels of political, economic and social fronts.
A more dynamic and transparent cabinet is needed to reinstate the confidence of the people. In a nutshell, Najib has to get rid of all those who are inefficient, corrupt, egoistic and opportunistic.
It is a fact that even Najib’s credibility is being questioned and his reputation tainted, though he may be the most appropriate Umno leader to take over from Pak Lah.
Unless and until there is a political will and unbiased commitment to address the various shortcomings of our political system in the BN, the days of its governance are numbered. The BN will then be buried in the next general election.
It is not a bad idea and politically innovative to build a two-party system, but this only when our politicians and people are matured and ready for a change. We have to face the opposition in
Pakatan Rakyat with one voice without suspicion from today itself if we want to recapture all the states that BN has lost due to rampant money politics, absolute political negligence and scandals.
As a political stakeholder and senior citizen of this country, irrespective of my racial origin, I appeal to all our political leaders in the BN to wake up from their individual perspective and help
to rebuild their eroded road map.
The BN is still relevant and responsible for the continued well-being of all Malaysians. Political aspirants should realign their ambitions and listen to the majority - of which more than 60% are younger and better educated Malaysians.
Political leaders and their advisers should acknowledge that ‘a wise man changes his mind, a fool doesn’t’. After all, political wisdom is nothing more than ‘knowing when to speak your
mind and when to mind your speech’.
I think Najib Abdul Razak has all those qualities to be the next prime minister despite some of overloaded political baggage, though this can be easily resolved with a new team of advisers.
Anyone with a political ambition and elected to office through the parliamentary process can be the prime minister, if he or she possesses the norms and qualities of a good leader, through wisdom and with the help of his advisers and think-tank groups.
Make no mistake, even during Mahathir’s time, he had a string of advisers, including an International Advisory Panel, and a reserved line of corporate gurus to assist him even though he himself is an avid reader and an Netizen.
Individual characters like Ah Chong, Muthu or Ahmad do not really matter as long they are patriotic Malaysians and wish to rebuild this country which is currently in political and economic turmoil.
I am not saying that Najib will trust any Tom, Dick and Harry in his administration, which is about to begin. Just give Najib a chance to run this country as we all know that Malaysia has no
perfect ‘Malay’ leader.
Hopefully this son of Pahang Bugis descent will perform well and deliver a new Malaysia for us as promised on his 1 Malaysia personal website, which is gaining popularity by the day.
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