Of Leadership, Politics and The People

I read a note written by Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah or more commonly known as Ku Li using his Facebook account on the matter of leadership and the situation happening in the current administration/management at each level. Cited from the note, "... pada zaman kita sekarang, kebanyakan pemimpin sebenarnya tidak memimpin. Hari ini, banyak orang menjadi 'ketua' secara formal..."

In his note, Ku Li urged the people to look back at the previous leaders' journey through the course of history and how they have remained true to their principles to serve the people and not themselves. Also taken from the note, Ku Li highlighted 3 important things that the prophet Muhammad pbuh had done in the past and can be implemented in the present time:

(a)      Pertama, kepimpinan yang syumul atau holistik:

Tiga cirinya ialah:

1. kepimpinan yang boleh membawa ke arah pembangunan manusia secara berimbang dalam semua bidang, baik sosial, baik ekonomi, politik dan lain-lain lagi;
2. kepimpinan yang tidak membawa kepada wujudnya golongan-golongan masyarakat yang dibeza-bezakan secara amat ketara dari segi taraf sosial, ekonomi, budaya dan politik masing-masing; dan
3. kepimpinan yang tidak meletakkan peraturan politik, sosial, ekonomi dan moral yang berbeza-beza antara manusia dalam pembangunan sosial, ekonomi, undang-undang dan politik negara, sehinggakan ada golongan yang dianggap tidak salah apabila melakukan kemungkaran - biasanya golongan ini adalah golongan yang berkuasa – manakala  golongan yang tidak berkuasa, termasuk rakyat biasa, dianggap salah kerana melakukan perbuatan sama yang dilakukan oleh orang yang berkuasa.

(b)       Kedua, kepimpinan yang tidak berdasarkan kuasa tetapi berdasarkan legitimasi moral sebagai pemimpin. Seperti kata Saidina Abu Bakar al-Siddiq, jikalau dia tidak lagi memimpin menurut perintah Allah dan sunnah Rasul (SAW), maka rakyat tidak patut mentaati dia lagi.

(c)       Ketiga, kepimpinan berdasarkan keadilan. Inilah salah satu sifat kepimpinan yang ditunjukkan oleh Nabi (SAW). Dalam hal ini, Nabi (SAW) berpegang kepada Perintah atau Petunjuk Allah. Dalam Quran, Allah berfirman          bahawa manusia yang beriman hendaklah menegakkan keadilan dan menjadi saksi     atas kebenaran walaupun terhadap diri   sendiri atau terhadap keluarga, anak, ayah, isteri dan suami sendiri . Prinsip keadilan Islam tidak mengenal batas kaum yang berlainan agama. Allah berfirman, yang bermaksud:

‘Janganlah kebencian kamu terhadap sesuatu kaum menyebabkan kamu berlaku tidak adil terhadap mereka’.(Rujuk Surah An-Nisa’ Ayat 13)

I believe that if all his words and advices are to be taken seriously by the present leaders, things would turn for the better in regards to Malaysia's development and her people. Alas, Ku Li's ongoing struggle and voice for changes only fell on deaf ears. But changes are on its way. It may take a longer time before things fall into place, nevertheless, this time is crucial to ensure a strong and solid foundation for the nation's future.

Original article: http://www.facebook.com/notes/tengku-razaleigh-hamzah/kepimpinan-melayu-antara-yang-makruf-dan-yang-mungkar-2009/147749935289770

When Politics Went Wrong

Correct me i'm wrong, but I thought, politicians are supposed to be the voice of the people. Why? Isn't politicians got where they are today because they are chosen by the people? Didn't they contest in the elections, against many other politicians alike, to represent the majority of the people's voice? That's why when they won, they will have the ability and the say to empower what the people's want. They can bring forth to the government and express the people's need and what they require.

But I think politics in Malaysia is somewhat the other way round. It's not that the people voted because they want to choose the very best candidate to represent them. Instead, its the candidates that goes out to them and offer them what they want. And when the politicians rose to win against their competitors, what happened to all those offers? What happened to the people's voice?

I haven't read the news for quite some time. When I read it today, I find it very saddening for the fact that all these politicians, they argued not because they want to deliver what the people have entrusted to them. But they argued because they BELIEVED that they have been chosen to deliver what they THINK the people want. Why don't you go out and meet with those people who voted for you, ask them what changes do they want and what are their expectations from you. If it is truly the same as what you've been fighting for, then go ahead, continue with your actions, your voices because that's what the people expect you to do. But if its not, then what should you do? Step down and make way for other candidates who actually represent the people's voice?

No, that is not the appropriate way to go.

First, why don't you accept the fact that you've been struggling for the wrong things all these while. People make mistakes, no matter how big a position you hold and how many supporters you have. People will ALWAYS make mistakes. But through this mistakes that we learn to grow by reflecting and not repeating them.

Secondly, try to fix all the wrong things you've done. Instead of saying what you THINK is the people's voice, began saying what REALLY is the people's voice! And then follow that up with actions, progress and finally deliver it to those people whom you owe them because they've sacrificed their time and energy to vote for you.

You might receive enormous challenges, criticism and plenty of obstacles, hardships along the way. You may see your name often comes out in the news because of the voice you brought with you. But rest assured, if what you do is FOR the PEOPLE and not for YOU, I believe you will prevail in the end. 

Imagine we have 26M people living in Malaysia, and out of that, only a small fraction goes on to become politicians. And if you do things for the sake of those 26M people instead of the small group of politicians, I think you should know the answer using simple maths.

So please, stop publishing all this arguments on who should be what and what should have been done when it already happened. Think of solutions on how you can provide the best for those people you're representing. Only then, I believe, we'll see some changes. Only then, I believe, Malaysia is truly the place to live in for ALL Malaysians. Isn't that what we all want?

'10 Tahun Sebelum Merdeka, 53 Tahun Selepas Merdeka'

While the video is still fresh in my memory, I thought I'd pour everything I had in my mind while viewing the short film '10 Tahun Sebelum Merdeka' here.

Back in high school, we were taught how the people of Malaya gained independence from the British government through negotiations, discussions and agreements between both political parties representing the people and the British administration. While watching, I remembered having learnt about 'Malayan Union', 'Perlembagaan Rakyat' and 'Perlembagaan Persekutuan Tanah Melayu 1948'. But little did I know about the movement of the PUTERA-AMCJA through their proposal of 'People's Federation'. And soon after the 1948 constitution was enforced, we were taught about the uprising of the Communists and how the British government captured those thought to be involved with the movement.

The video however, portrayed the 'Anti-Communists' operation merely as a front face to cover the hidden agenda behind it, to suppress and limit the liberation of the people of Malaya. In school, we were taught everything about one side of the people's movement, that is from the right wing perspective. Although we were given insight on the left wing perspective towards independence, they were not absolutely true and bias and deviations from facts were unavoidable. This video merely showed what the left wing parties, 10 years before we achieved our independence were trying to do.

After finishing the film, I wondered, "Did we get off on the wrong foot?". "Did we built a wrong foundation for our lovely country?". "What would happened it things were to go along with People's Federation' back in 1947?". According to the video, 'Perlembagaan Rakyat receives enormous support from people all over Malaya at that time, and in accordance with the protest against the British decision to neglect the people's voice and proceed with the 1948 federation, the Hartal rally/movement was introduced. If back then we already gained '1 Malaya', we wouldn't have to go through the troubles to achieve it now, when we have plenty other things we can focus on.

Nevertheless, all that happened 60 years ago, before we achieved our independence. History cannot be re-written, but it can serve as a reference for us not to repeat what we did wrong in the past. These times are crucial moments for us young generation of our country. The next 10 to 15 years will determine the shape and direction of our future Malaysia. The Malaysian youth today are often poised as the future leaders of the country, ever since we begin our education until we reach the age for liberty. Will we remain a country, separated by racial differences, spoken language, cultural diversities or will we become a country united by our similar history, passion and love for the country and the future Malaysia we intend to build?

I don't want to sit idle by while these changes take place. I want to be among the small units contributing to these changes, shaping it the way it ideally should be for every Malaysians. I want to help construct the better future Malaysia for all my fellow countrymen and women to live in. But I cannot do this all alone. Can we achieve what we once had 10 years before our independence?

the reluctant politician

another book added into my wishlish, 'The Reluctant Politician: Tun Dr Ismail and His Time'.

one of the quotes i found interesting from the book, said by Tun Ismail himself,

Why did we fight for Merdeka? So that the different races can be divided? That can't be the way, right? That can't be why all these great Malay and Umno leaders fought for this ... Something is wrong... I hope the new discussions will start. Why are we building Malaysia? What Malaysia are we building? What kind of symbol is Malaysia supposed to be?

i already heard stories about Tun before, from a friend i met at the airport. he personally expressed his interest in the politician, saying by far, Tun was the best Malaysian politician, even more than Tun Mahathir himself. at that time, i could not convey any opinions, since that was the first time i've heard of the name. hopefully, the next time i meet him again, i have gone through this book, and then we can discuss in length about Tun Ismail.

Perak

it never bothers me to actually find out what happen in Perak, after the lawsuit brought by current Perak MB, Dato' Seri Azmbry Abd. Kadir against the former MB, Dato' Seri Nizar Jamaluddin. not that i'm not interested anymore, but i just couldn't be bothered, with the never ending stories of one side arguing with the other.

yesterday, i had an argument with my housemate about the position of a Sultan in the state, and the power that the Sultan possesses compare to the state officers representing the government. it reached a point where i can feel the tense building up around me and i just couldn't keep arguing anymore.

i wonder, if only a normal person like me, who holds no power whatsoever in any state or government, just had a casual argument about such sensitive issue with a housemate, can actually build such tense situation, what would happen if my housemate and i were replaced by those who actually hold such positions.

to my dismay, the question that popped up in my head revealed its answer in such an unexpected measure. i opened facebook today, only to find a friend of mine posted a video about a fiasco in Perak state assembly house. i watched, and searched further for any info regarding the incident, so that i won't be making any unnecessary assumptions, only to find myself feeling even sad by the fact of what's happening to my country.

yes, my country's having a political turmoil, with all the by-elections keep popping out, and a certain particular state having internal issues etc. the consequences affects so deeply even the 'rakyat' began choosing their sides, only to make things worse. some whose not even concerned with the state, began cursing the state's Sultan, for not making things right. some who don't really know the roots of the problems, began throwing curses to whoever they think is responsible for it.

i'm not saying anyone is right or wrong, but i felt things are going for the worse, and if this keeps on, i'm afraid to think of what will happen in the end. i don't want the place where i was born to turn into a mess. people all over the world are looking, and its up to us 'rakyat' to make things right. i love my country, and i want her to develop into a nation that's safe for everyone to live in, without any issues.

to those out there whose throwing words and pointing fingers, stop that and began thinking. implement some actions and move towards resolution, not destruction.

congratulations and condolences

while writing this post, i am currently watching tv1, 'saluran informasi anda' which is showing the live show of Barack Obama inauguration under the topic, 'Amerika di mata Malaysia'. a lot of remarks and critics were said in the discussion between the host and the guests. at the moment, the president-elect, or maybe now, president of United States of America have just arrived at the white house, marking the beginning of the ceremony.

What i am going to highlight here is, will the future of US shift towards the better with the inauguration, or will it remains where it is? The new president will have to shoulder a lot of weight on his back, with the global economic problems, the Middle East affairs, the country's unshakeable stand behind Israel's action and many other things that only the president himself knows. not to mention the pressure from everyone globally that expect him to mend all the damages done by the previous president. Everywhere around the world, people are celebrating his inauguration as it truly is a historical ones, since he is the only first ever black president for the US.

congratulation Obama, on your election last year, and now, on your inauguration as the president of United States of America. I hope you will really make changes as soon as you assume the position.

meanwhile, when everyone is happy for the president, i would like to express my condolences to BN on their loss during the K.T by-election. perhaps it is a little too late, but it is only now that i have the opportunity to write what i have in mind all this while. actually, i heard news regarding the by-election, which was speculated as the main reason to the BN loss. It was related to a person well known in the party itself.

you have power, but its not yours to use
you have influence, but you don't put it to good use
you're young and you're ambitious, but unfortunately you have no vision.

those are the words which reflects my opinion on the person.

a malay saying used to describe him is 'duri dalam daging'. some others said he's like a parasite, destroying his host, here and there.

as for me, i have no personal remarks or such, but i do hope he would re-think his actions, and consider slowing down in reaching his objectives, for it is not bad to put the sky as your ceiling, but a proper approach must be followed to achieve it.

perihal politik malaysia

cerita politik malaysia sekarang merupakan salah satu berita panas yang sering membawakan pelbagai rencana menarik untuk pengikut-pengikut setia politik negara. sebagai salah seorang pelajar perwakilan malaysia di perantauan, pelbagai kisah mengenai situasi politik semasa dapat didengari, yang umum atau yang rahsia. walaupun kebanyakan cerita yang didengari tidak mempunyai sebarang rujukan khas atau seperti kata pemberita, bukti nyata, tetapi semua yang dibicarakan mempunyai satu daya tarikan untuk membuat semua yang berada berhampiran, berminat untuk mendengar.

ketika aku sedang duduk menanti di balai perlepasan, aku sempat berborak dengan salah seorang pelajar perubatan tahun ketiga di universiti ku. dia sedang memasukkan buku mengenai tun ismail, timbalan perdana menteri di zaman tun abdul razak menjadi perdana menteri, sebelum tun hussein onn mengambil alih.

aku bertanya, 'are you interested in politics?' dia menjawab, 'i am, but not because i want to be a politician. but malaysia's politic is very interesting'. aku tanya, 'really? why?' dia menjawab, 'well, cause malaysia's politic is very fun. to look at.' oh, perbualan di dalam bahasa inggeris kerna pelajar itu lebih selesa demikian. dia berbangsa cina. jarang aku melihat bangsa cina yang berminat dengan politik, lantas menjadi sebab untuk aku bertanya apabila melihat dia membawa buku itu.

mendengarkan jawapannya, 'malaysia's politic is very fun', aku tergelak sendirian. tidak pernah sebelum ini perbualanku dengan sebarang peminat politik mengatakan bahawa politik malaysia adalah seronok. namun apabila aku mendengar alasan-alasan yang diberikan olehnya, menyebabkan aku terfikir, apa yang dicakapkan olehnya ada betulnya.

mengapa tidak?

dapatkah kita lihat di negara lain, wanita-wanita yang sepatutnya menjadi pemimpin, dan teladan untuk wanita lain bergaduh untuk mendapatkan jawatan ketua dalam organisasi.

dapatkah kita lihat di negara lain, ahli-ahli dewan rakyatnya bersidang, untuk membincangkan kertas-kertas dan projek-projek di kawasan masing-masing, namun akhirnya berubah menjadi medan perdebatan dan pergaduhan yang akhirnya, mewujudkan lebih banyak masalah, dan tiada resolusi.

aku sendiri bukanlah seorang peminat politik yang setia, maka aku tidak dapat memberikan komen yang berdasarkan bukti. tetapi, apa yang berlaku memang jarang sekali dapat dilihat di negara-negara lain. mungkin ada, cuma aku tidak mengetahui. harap kecetekan pengetahuanku dimaafkan.

selepas perbulan tersebut, satu lagi pandangan baru terhadap politik wujud dalam fikiranku. politik boleh menjadi seronok. harap-harap keseronokan tersebut membawa kepada kebaikan untuk semua.