Apportioning The Blame
It is tempting – and comforting – to blame everyone for the failure of Prime Minister Abdullah’s leadership, or to take the other extreme and heap the blame entirely on the hapless man.
Both approaches would be inadequate if not wrong. The corollary to “everyone is at fault” is that no one is. That would be a collective “cop out,” an abrogation of personal responsibility. Even if it were that rare instance where everyone is indeed responsible, there would still be the different degrees of culpability that would have to be acknowledged.
Blaming Abdullah entirely would also be inadequate. If nothing else, that would reveal the glaring inadequacies of the system, like its lack of checks and balances.
When a Turkish Airline jet crashed over Paris in 1974 because its cargo door blew out, the blame was not put entirely on the sloppy mechanic – although his negligence was clearly the triggering event – rather on the design flaws that would not indicate when doors were not properly secured. Firing the poor mechanic (though that was done) would not prevent future similar accidents, but improving the design with better indicator lights did.
An insight of modern “failure analysis” is that catastrophes are often not the result of a single major error, rather the cumulative effects of a series of minor mistakes each compounding the other until a critical stress point is reached when the whole thing would blow up. We are all familiar with the story of losing the war for the want of a nut.
Triggering Event
Malaysia however cannot be at the mercy of the mistake of any one person. Besides, blaming Mahathir alone would also not pass the philosophical test on the meaning of causation. We might as well blame Abdullah’s mother if we were to pursue this line of logic, for had she not given birth to him, we would have been spared this debacle. We could go even earlier and blame Abdullah’s father for the conception. There would be no end to the line of blame.
Certainly Mahathir should have been more prudent and sought wider counsel in selecting his deputy. He should have had the courage to break party tradition and go beyond the sitting vice presidents in selecting his successor.
While Mahathir was clearly the triggering factor, I would apportion only 10 percent of the blame on him.
The Man Himself
When the distinguished editor Howard Raines was appointed to head the influential New York Times, he knew that he lacked executive experience. Consequently he enrolled in a brief graduate business program. When Tengku Razaleigh was approached by then Prime Minister Hussein Onn to be his deputy, the Tengku politely declined. He felt he could contribute more by being other than a Deputy Prime Minister. Mark of wisdom and self confidence!
When Hussein Onn felt that leading the country was way over his head, he did the honorable thing: He resigned. Wise man!
Abdullah clearly lacks executive talent and economic nous; he owes it to himself and the nation to remedy those deficits. He could have had the services of the best minds, if only he had been prudent in selecting his advisors.
For these reasons I would apportion a greater blame – 20 percent – to Abdullah.
Editors, Pundits, Abdullah’s Advisors as Culprits
This duty to advise extends beyond those with appropriately designated titles. Editors and journalists as well as intellectuals and pundits, whom society has implicitly imposed a similar obligation, also have a sacred duty and a greater obligation to the public in serving as checks and balances on the leadership.
Veteran news anchor Walter Cronkite’s critical comments on the Vietnam War were instrumental in President Johnson not seeking a second term. Had Malaysian editors and journalists acted less like lap dogs, Abdullah would not have dared stray far.
It is hilarious to see these editors of the mainstream media now clumsily trying to correct themselves. They are finding that ingrained habits are hard to break, especially bad ones.
If our editors had a fraction of the fearlessness of Raja Petra, and intellectuals an iota of the integrity of Azmi Sharom, we are more likely to get honest competent leaders, and keep them that way once they are in power.
Academics like Shamsul AB who are on the public payroll and pundits like Johan Jaafar who earn fat public pensions have a public duty not to debase themselves to be the administration’s sycophants. They have to remain true to their vocation.
These folks as well as those boys on the infamous “fourth floor” must therefore shoulder their responsibility for Abdullah’s failings. I would apportion 30 percent of the blame to them.
We Deserve Our Leaders
Abdullah would not be the leader he is without his followers – us – acquiescing to or permitting it. Had Malaysians not given Abdullah that overwhelming mandate in 2004 and instead adopted a more skeptical “Show me first!” attitude, his ego would not have been so inflated. He would have a more realistic assessment of his capabilities; it also would have chastened his advisors.
Malaysians had plenty of opportunities to remind Abdullah of his shortcomings prior to the recent general election. The last was the Ijok state by-election. The excesses of UMNO operatives during this last general election grew out of voters’ tolerance of earlier shenanigans.
We are responsible for the leaders we get. We must scrutinize our leaders’ promises; we must hold these leaders accountable. If we fail to do that, then we have only ourselves to blame for their straying. For these reasons I would apportion 40 percent of the blame on Malaysian voters.
While Mahathir’s culpability is a miniscule 10 percent, nonetheless he has freely admitted to it. More importantly, he is trying his best to rectify it. Malaysians too are becoming more circumspect and taking their voting responsibilities seriously, as demonstrated by this recent election results.
As for Abdullah, he has accepted responsibility alright, but that is all he has done. He continues blaming others – party saboteurs, Anwar, Mahathir – everybody but himself. As for his advisors, pundits, editors and intellectuals, they have remained uncharacteristically silent. They have yet to acknowledge much less rectify their mistakes.
The foregoing is not an accounting exercise rather a suggestion on how we should treat our leaders in future. The burden is particularly high for voters who are also commentators, editors, and intellectuals.
April 27th, 2008 at 6:20 pm
Had Mahathir not done this, we would have been spared this disaster.
Malaysia however cannot be at the mercy of the mistake of any one person.
It is ridiculous that a well read man as obviously you are can say the situation after the March 8 election can be described “AS DISASTEROUS”. Why is it disasterous for the election of 82 Pakatan Rakyat MP’s be described as disasterous ? Do you seriously mean to say that a government that is formed by Malaysians from the Pakatan Rakyat is disasterous ? Is it disasterous because the government in waiting does not embrace a racially divided Malaysian citizenship ? Do you mean that this in coming Pakatan Rakyat government to be has shed the elitist Malay centric policy of exclusion of all other minority races a disasterous development ?
If what you described as disasterous has any meaning at all it is that you do not accept that other races other than the Malays are nationals of Malaysia which under the constitution is not. Why do you not consider PAS and Dato Seri Anwar who is most likely to form government, NOT BLOODY MALAYSIAN ENOUGH TO PLEASE YOU AND THE LIKES OF YOU.
April 27th, 2008 at 10:30 pm
Yap ChongYee, I read Bakri’s article 3 times and nowhere did I find Bakri mentioning directly or indirectly that the March election and the election of 82 Pakatan Rakyat MP’s as disasterous. All I understand is that the leadership of Abdullah is a disaster but Abdullah alone cannot take the blame. Perhaps this learned lawyer from the best law school in Asia can enlighten me on where Bakri said the election of March 8 is a disaster to Pakatan Rakyat and the election of the Pakatan Rakyat is disasterous. I did not attend law school so my English is rather limited but I see no evidence anywhere that Bakri did not accept other races other than Malay. Now I know why lawyers are disliked as they tend to twist the words.
Perhaps you are seeing and reading the article through tinted glasses, tinted with your dislike for the Malays because of one Malay judge. But please be distinct when making the allegation. Provide the evidence and proof. Otherwise Buang Case lah.
Bakri has never been one to curry favor with both Mahathir or Abdullah and he has often criticise the UMNO/BN government. I believe you are barking up the wrong tree my friend. I suggest you read the article again and read it objectively, don’t insert your opinion.
April 28th, 2008 at 12:13 am
It is tempting – and comforting – to blame everyone for the failure of Prime Minister Abdullah’s leadership,
Had Mahathir not done this, we would have been spared this disaster.
I quot from this article.
The article does not have to spell it out but the 2 sentences quoted refer to the disaster that had befallen UMNO, and the disaster refers to the triumph at the March 8 election that saw Pakatan practically win government. I believe Pakatan did win except for the some fiddling of the vote count. If I have to bet my shirt on this allegation, I will say that those who counted the votes of Khairy Jamaluddin had cheated.
If it is not about the results of the March 8 election then pray tell me what is the disaster that the writer had refered to ? And as I asked, what is the disaster that is so devastating to Malaysia when BN looses government ?
April 28th, 2008 at 3:10 am
I suppose had Mahathir not appointed Badawi, immoral Malays can still carry on the usual practices of CORRUPTION and ABUSE OF POWER from sultan to the ruling class to the government servants to the priviledged without any SHAME and GUILT whatsoever though professing outwardly as devout muslims.
And all this is made possible with the support of a class of stupid Malays being hoodwinded into believing that KETUANAN MELAYU can be preserved by FORCE not BRAIN to the cheers of the author.
April 28th, 2008 at 3:39 am
@yap.chongyee: You fail at reading comprehension.
“It is tempting – and comforting – to blame everyone for the failure of Prime Minister Abdullah’s leadership,
Had Mahathir not done this, we would have been spared this disaster.”
When you quote these sentences it’s even more obvious that the disaster he referred to was “the failure of Prime Minister Abdullah’s leadership”.
April 28th, 2008 at 7:00 am
YapChongYee, See, the disaster affected BN/UMNO and not Pakatan Rakyat. The disaster is in Abdullah leadership. Because of Abdullah’s leadership or lack of it Malaysia is where it is now. But look on the bright side. If Abdullah had been like Mahathir there will not be the change we are seeing now. UMNO/BN will continue to rule and things such as ketuanan melayu will continue and kris waving will continue and MP’s with brains in their ass will continue to make stupid statements. Now because of Abdullah’s style of leadership we see Pakatan Rakyat capturing 82 parliamentary seats and controlling 5 state government. Consider this a blessing in disguise.
April 28th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
Every system has its problem, nothing is perfect. Rather than shifting the blames, why not we support our leaders, our PM to get this country striving for perfection. Let’s stop condemning everyone. Rather look at what we can do to be better.
The government should start working for the people, rather than having self gain, that’s all how it started rite? Why are we fighting for the election, is to put the right people we think is suitable for the position. That they can perform and make a better Malaysia.
This should be our stand!
April 29th, 2008 at 5:39 am
I AGREE WITH BBOYASK MAN!
If every one of us have support for our PM, maybe we can actually help achieve what we want for our country. How can we possibly achieve anything if we always have this attitude of blaming everyone!
Malaysians, support our leaders!
April 29th, 2008 at 6:37 am
You mean support the PM to rape and plunder the wealth of Malaysia? Support the PM in his rule by division and scare tactic? Support the PM in his racist policies? Support the PM in jailing ordinaryy citizens while his cohorts escape persecution even when guilty? Support the PM to buy luxury boats and planes for his use? Support the PM to deprive the people of Trengganu their rightful revenue from oil? Why don’t you just bend over and offer him your rear.
April 29th, 2008 at 7:05 am
Shrek, so are you saying we should support Najib in murdering more people? Or Anwar and his ever changing political manifesto and ambiguous integrity? Or oh, how about supporting Samy Vellu for the PM position!
Look, if you can find a better person compared to Pak Lah AND prove to the nation that your candidate will bring Malaysia to a better place than it is now, then go ahead and bring it on. Otherwise, your endless comments will only end up in circles.
At least if I offer him my rear, he won’t stuff a C4 in it. Or talk right out of it like you do.
April 29th, 2008 at 9:38 am
Good 1 phillix! Ya man! If really he is the guy fit for the job, then who would you suggest? those dirty bastards that try to hide their bloody hands by keeping it clean?
April 29th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
Phillinx, read my lips. When someone says support the PM it also means supporting his cohorts which include Najib, Thamby Chik, Mad Tyson et al. I never said support Najib or Anwar. What I said is if you ask Malaysian to support AAB you directly or indirectly ask us to support the whole gang Najib, Hishammudin and all the UMNO/BN gang.
Right now there is no candidate from UMNO or BN that will be a better choice. So the next best choice is have someone from PKR or DAP or PAS. Anwar was in UMNO once and had to dance and sing UMNO’s song. Now he’s in the opposition and thus have the right to change his manifesto. Abdullah was given 5 years to prove his mettle so why not give the same chance to Anwar? He may be a better leader who knows.
April 29th, 2008 at 7:14 pm
shrek,
When we say support Pak lah, why dont we just do that. He is trying his best to alleviate the problems from witrhin the goverment himself and the best we could do is to support him on all his decisions.
Until the next person (PM) comes around, we should just do that in the meantime. So whoever oure next PM is, we’ll supoport HIM pulak. Easy as that.
It’s not easy being a leader and managing thousands of people, let alone managing a country, can ME and YOU do it? Put ourselves in his shoes.
April 29th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
first off, it’s phillix. there’s no ‘n’ in it.
remember. Pak Lah remains in power because of democracy. at the end of the day he still reigns in power because people voted for him. albeit not getting the usual 2/3, he did get majority didnt he? dare you detest democracy?
and speaking of changing manifesto, he’s changed it so much - how sure are you that if he gets in power he will stick to what he promised? how do you prove his integrity? and you said he MAY be a better leader. you want to put our country in such risk?
April 29th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
i agreed with phillix and farzain man! people vote Pak Lah for reason la, Just support him no matter what.
April 29th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
Abdullah was voted by the people to be PM. He was voted by the people in his constituency to be theer Member of Parliament. Secondly he was not voted by the people to be the PM, he was appointed by Mahathir to be the President of UMNO and by default became the PM of Malaysia. If you cannot differentiate between “elected by the people to be PM” and elected by people in his constituency to be their MP that’s why you support him blindly.
Even within UMNO he was not voted to be the President more so BN component parties did not vote for him to be PM.
I agree running a country is not easy but the PM must make decisions even the unpopular decisions. The PM must be ultimately responsible for running the country for the benefit of its citizens. On both counts Abdullah fails terribly. He has not made any major decisions nor has he been responsive to the needs of its citizen. Remember his election manifesto to wipe out corruption and “work with me not for me” Corruption has increased during his tenure and “are you working with him or working for him”?
When you have to recycle tainted politicians like Mat Tyson and Rahim Thamby Chik, it shows that he is out of ideas and out of touch with reality. Come on Malaysians wake up or else suffer the consequences. The world moves on and Malaysia is left behind by nations such as Vietnam and Cambodia.
April 29th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
Wow…. seems like there’s a debate going on here. But give chance to Anwar? I don’t feel it man… Better to support Pak Lah that he’ll be a better country leader!
April 29th, 2008 at 9:41 pm
Munyra Hayati, one man’s meat another man’s poison. Everyone is entitled to their choice. Good luck Malaysian, you deserve what you choose.
April 30th, 2008 at 2:54 am
Jangan bodoh lagi la!
How can one support a leader just because he is called a “LEADER” in a feudal system which is against human aspirations.
To me Pak Lah has done a great job in liberating Malaysia, but I think he is too slow in his calculated moves to propel himself and Malaysia forward. He is a gentleman like Tengku Abdul Rahman in his reign.
Well for Anwar I’ve never trusted him during his heyday for his penchant to politicise issues, particularly the racial one. But seeing the man having gone through the SCHOOL OF HARD KNOCK thoroughly, I will gladly endorse him for his shot for the Malaysian leadership as there is no one better qualified in political experience and baggages than him to transform Malaysia in a bold way.
April 30th, 2008 at 3:06 am
Come to think of it. I rather support AAB to get rid of BN/UMNO.
The way things are going BN/UMNO is in self destruct mode - a matter of time. If the opposition is put in power now, attention will be shifted away from the wrong doings of BN/UMNO and BN/UMNO can re-group later.
April 30th, 2008 at 7:22 am
as for anwar, at the rate of him changing his thoughts after every 5 years, “pakatan rakyat” now tapi years ago time cakap benda lain, tahun depan lagi benda lain pulak.
Aiyoh, become manager pun cannot be indecisive, let alone being a PM?? Oh no no no…… At least Pak Lah is true to himself!
April 30th, 2008 at 7:51 am
sandylow, everyone has at one time or another changed his/her position on issues. life is like a video camera, not a still camera. every moment situation changes with new facts and infomation. i am sure you yourself have changed your opinions or views over the years. sometimes it’s for the better. so give everyone a chance, don’t judge by the past but what the future will be.
April 30th, 2008 at 8:09 am
But Anwar has got to come to a certain equilibrium in the middle road as he matures sensibly.
But Pak Lah has got to be more ruthless pulling levers or pulling out parangs if he is still able to save his agenda.
April 30th, 2008 at 11:13 am
“the failure of Prime Minister Abdullah’s leadership”? OMG Think again. Every party including BN is a form of team. Everyone has to play their role to achieve the team’s goal or let me say here as to serve for rakyat.
If a team lost, all the team players have to be blame. Not the leadership. But if a team player being so ignorant, selfish or in other words not a good team player, the easiest way to save their own a** is just blame the leader.
April 30th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
Quoting dan chee: “But if a team player being so ignorant, selfish or in other words not a good team player, the easiest way to save their own a** is just blame the leader.”
Excellent point. ANd that’s what’s happening to Pak Lah. His enemies are from UMNO himself.
Yes shrek, and quoting you too: “so give everyone a chance, don’t judge by the past but what the future will be.”
So why not give Pak Lah a chance right?
April 30th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
I don’t see how one can blame the Malaysian voter in the current scenario. While it may be true that people get leaders they deserve it is also true that the dynamics of mass dissent almost always needs a trigger of some sort. This time that trigger presented itself as the coincidence of three main factors viz. the continuing stupidity and arrogance of BN (read UMNO), the Electronic Media and the fateful presence of Anwar Ibrahim who managed to cobble together what is perhaps the most unlikely coalition in the history of Asian politics. That the public (50 per cent at least) responded to this trigger is proof enough of the sorry state of affairs of the country.
Whether or not UMNO is able to redeem itself will depend on how effectively it is able to weed out the parasitic element within it and to clean up its own house inside out. I doubt very much if this can be done with the likes of Badawi still at the helm.
At the end of the day it does not really matter how the blame is apportioned. What is important is that PR should now work feverishly to replace the BN at the Centre and get on with the job. This is what at least half the country voted for.
May 1st, 2008 at 6:57 am
Interesting to read all the comments, arguments and counter-arguments. I do see the points from all sides. One is dead against Pak Lah & Co while another is for his gang. The 3rd wants to let our own “Backside Boy” take over.
Let’s look at some of the points.
(1) With Pak Lah at the helm, there is a possibility that UMNO would self-destruct. What then? Would the next election be the last for UMNO/BN?
(2) With Pak Lah dislodged, his loyal deputy (codename C4) would take over. What then? Would our real PM be a puppet master that seem to be ever hungry for more over-priced submarine?
(3) With Pal Lah dislodged and UMNO/BN self-destructed, the backside would sneek in to be the PM? What then? Do we need a rearview mirror just to make sure we don’t get a backside whacking involuntarily?
We’ll see as the future unfolds before us. The phrase “I told you so” would then be among the favourite.
May 1st, 2008 at 2:22 pm
There’s a Malay saying “Bercakap bohong, lama-lama menjadi pencuri”. (Keep on telling lies will make you become thief). Before this, I don’t really understand what our Malay forefather means by this. I can’t comprehend the relation between telling lies and becoming a thief.
Then Abdullah Ahmad Badawi becomes the Prime Minister of Malaysia and it explains everything. Haha …. But yet, there are still people who want him to continue to be the PM.
Good luck Malaysia.
May 1st, 2008 at 8:51 pm
amos. yeah. and if it’s anwar as our next PM, we’ll be even more screwed maybe? nobody knows.
i dont see the basis you saying pak lah is a liar. personal opinion i suppose, like every one else here. but let’s stop throwing such biased statements like that.
May 1st, 2008 at 9:10 pm
i agreed with sandyow! If anwar is the our next PM, i don’t know what would happen to malaysia.
yup, stay neutral and not biased.
May 2nd, 2008 at 4:11 am
Sandyow & liyana,
Anwar, who? I’m talking about Abdullah Ahmad Badawi so why bring up other people name in defense of your idol~a PM? Other people tell lies doesn’t mean you can also lies. I just merely giving my opinion based on facts which I gathered from our very own BN’s medias.(not opposition medias)
When Abdullah was interviewed by the Bernama chief, Anuar Zaini on TV3 last year, he declared that his son did not benefit from any government contract. But, when confronted with the fact that his son through Scomi did received contracts worth hundreds of million of Ringgit from Petronas, TNB and KTMB, he then made his trademark lies, “I don’t know”, “I’m not involved”.
When the government purchase an ultra luxurious corporate jet valued over RM200 million (Ringgit Malaysia Two Hundred Million Only), Abdullah claimed that it was not the government that bought the plane. But he failed to mentioned that it was a private government-owned company that purchased it. Again another lie.
So, there are so many other lies Abdullah has made which I have no time to jolt them down here. From his marriage to Jeanne, the announcement of general election date, house in Melbourne, scenic bridge, Proton-AV Agusta, ECM Libra-Avenue merger, Temasek’s purchases of Pantai’s shares, B.S.A. Tahir & ISA and recently discovered scandal involving Patrick Lim of Equine and Penang Global City Centre. Please spend some times to do research on these issues. Take note on what our Abdullah’s comments on that subject and with all the facts you gathered, make your own conclusion whether he was telling lies or not.
As far as I’m concern, based on my observation, he did lied!
There’s a new Malay millennium saying, “If you are Satan, don’t talk about charity”
Good luck Malaysia.
May 2nd, 2008 at 6:54 pm
Amos,
Since when have any of our PMs, present and past, been honest? The greatest liar is none other than TDM. When the top leader lies what do you expect from his subordinates. So we have a cabinet full of liars from the PM tright o the parliamentary secretaries. And you can add their wives, drivers, maids, valets ad al in the list. Khir Toyo’s wife is a shining example.
May 3rd, 2008 at 3:49 am
Tok Cik,
Unfortunately, most of our politician lied including those in the Pakatan Rakyat. Even if Tunku, Tun Razak, Hussein Onn, Mahathir or even Anwar did lied, it doesn’t mean that it is OK for Abdullah to also lied.
Especially when Abdullah Ahmad Badawi claimed himself to be of high morale, religious, pious, corruption fighter, mencari Damai Abadi, bukan mencari harta bertimbun, dimana Al-Syafie, dimana Al-Ghazalie, bla…bla…bla… But all the facts show that he is totally the opposite.
What will this make him be? A hypocrite, a munafiq maybe? Nauzubillah ….
“If you are Satan, don’t talk about charity”
Good luck Malaysia.
May 4th, 2008 at 8:20 pm
Yesss….
GOOD LUCK MALAYSIA….
“RESIST THE DARK SIDE….”
May the force be with you…!!!
May 5th, 2008 at 7:26 am
Well done Dr Bakri for your blames apportionment. I cannot agree with you more (at least, you didn’t blame the “dumb cows” as what you wrote in 2005).
Well done also to AMOS. Keep it up!
Azman
Shah Alam
May 6th, 2008 at 3:23 am
Azman, Bakri can whine but can you wise up thereafter???
May 7th, 2008 at 11:31 am
Well Abangcina…..an honest man is always a child:-)