What A Contrast In Leadership!
What A Contrast In Leadership!
First posted on Malaysia-Today.net, May 20, 2007
It is the mark of great leaders that they are able to read their followers well, and then to inspire them by appealing to their better side. Raja Nazrin Shah, the Raja Muda of Perak, is not yet a sultan, yet he has excelled on both counts.
           His recent royal wedding to Zara Salim Davidson was elegant in its simplicity, and dignified by its moderation. Simplicity and moderation did not make the ceremony any less regal; on the contrary, they enhanced it. We were, for instance, thankfully spared the all too-common debasing of our fine cultural tradition of the mas kahwin and wang hantaran (dowries) into a crass exchange of cold cash.
           In a culture where the elite has difficulty differentiating between the public treasury and private coffer, the prince’s declining to accept public funding for his wedding is unprecedented.
            The fact that he is receiving widespread praises and adulations reflects the underlying silent disgust Malaysians have for the rampant and obscenely ostentatious displays of wealth that is fast becoming the norm among our elite. Only our Malaysian politeness prevents the citizens from expressing their loathing for such vulgar displays and the assault on our collective sensibilities. Unfortunately, our leaders mistake that to be tacit approval, if not explicit encouragement. How wrong can they be!
A few months earlier, the Crown Prince gave a speech where he passionately declared, “Malaysians of all races, religions, and geographic locations need to believe beyond a shadow of a doubt that they have a place under the Malaysian sun.â€Â He was specifically addressing young Malaysians, but his speech inspired all. It was without doubt the most widely quoted address. That was remarkable. It was as if Malaysians were yearning for their leaders to say something sensible, and at last they found one who did.
In style, tone and words, his speech was a refreshing contrast to the usual screaming, race taunting, and keris-wielding antics of those who have pretensions to be our next leaders. While Raja Nazrin appeals to the finer qualities of our fellow citizens, these other leaders derive their strength by instigating their followers’ sinister side. Raja Muda’s speech touched our hearts; these other leaders’ rhetoric chilled our spines.
Hereditary and Political Leaders
           The merit of democracy is that we get to choose our leaders, in contrast to a monarchy where the leadership in inherited. With the choice and competition of democracy we should expect better quality leaders. Yet in the person of Raja Nazrin we have a hereditary leader who is way above our elected political leaders.
           We could not attribute the difference to education. At the risk of flattering UMNO Youth leaders like Hishamuddin and Khairy Jamaluddin by comparing them to the Raja Muda, consider this. The pair attended top British universities, as did Raja Nazrin. Khairy, for example, went to Oxford and came back to marry the prime minister’s daughter in lavish multiple ceremonies that dragged on for days. There was nothing modest or simple about that wedding. Raja Nazrin too was Oxford educated, but he opted for a modest uncomplicated ceremony, and asked that donations be given to charity in lieu of extravagant tributes and bodek advertisements in the media.
           Nor could we explain the difference to their upbringing or breeding. Hishamuddin is the scion of a distinguished political family. His grandfather, Datuk Onn Jaafar, was ahead of his generation in seeking integration among the races and the creation of a pluralistic vibrant Malaysian nation. Onn resigned from UMNO’s Presidency over this very issue. Hishamuddin’s father, Hussein Onn, was noted for his integrity and intolerance of corruption. Despite intense opposition and at a considerable cost to his popularity, Hussein refused to block the prosecution for corruption of a popular senior UMNO figure. Unfortunately, none of these sterling qualities filtered down to Hishamuddin.
Demonstrating Good And Upright Leadership
           In his speech, the Raja Muda emphasized that “good and upright leadership must be demonstrated.â€Â He was echoing the qadharat hassanah – leadership through personal example – of our Prophet Muhammad, s.a.w.
When the Raja Muda declared that he wanted a modest ceremony, he meant it. He politely declined public funds and asked that the money be expended on the poor instead. The royal wedding guests included students and orphans. In so doing, he inspired others to do the same.
All too often our leaders are good only at spouting trite phrases. “Work with me, not for me!†is an oft-repeated quote of Prime Minster Abdullah. Yet when the citizens were in dire need, as during the massive Johore flood, he saw no need to cancel his scheduled overseas vacation. He asked Malaysians to be frugal yet would not hesitate in buying a luxurious corporate jet at public expense for his use. Never mind that no other Commonwealth Prime Minister has such a privilege. He compares himself to the Saudi King and the United States President. The humility and modesty of a modern Imam!
           When the Raja Muda said that political, social and economic incentives must reward good behavior and penalize bad, I wished our Prime Minister would listen. Consider Klang Town Council member Zakaria Mat Deros and “Close One Eye†Melaka MP Muhammad Said. Far from being punished, they are being rewarded, and rewarded handsomely. That sends precisely the wrong message, and undercuts the Prime Minister’s very message (and campaign promise) of public integrity.
Encouraging the Raja Nazrins and Discouraging the Hishamuddins
The challenge for Malaysians is how to encourage the Raja Nazrins and dissuade the Hishamuddins among our leaders. Picking our leaders based on their political or familial pedigree is not reliable, as demonstrated by Hishamuddin. Sending future leaders to august universities like Oxford is no guarantee either. As with Khairy, that would only feed their over-inflated ego and sense of competence.
Instead, what we should do is heed the advice of Razja Nazrin, that is, reward our leaders when they do good, and penalize them severely when they stray. Our ultimate weapon as citizens in a democratic society is to grant or deny them our approval at election times. Elections however come once every four or five years, and the election weapon is a crude one: approve or reject. There is no subtlety.
There is much that we can do in between elections to voice disapproval of our leaders. The obvious is of course to let these leaders know when they do something we disapprove. With the democratizing effect of the Internet, any citizen can now have a potentially powerful megaphone to reach as wide an audience as possible. The worse that we could do is to justify their stupidities or be their apologists. That would only encourage them. If we do nothing but remain silent on the sidelines, our leaders would eagerly interpret that as approval. They would then continue to act with impunity and become, in the words of my kampong folks, tak sedar ekor (lit. not knowing where his tail is; fig. get carried away). Alternatively, when they do something worthy of our approval, we should be generous in our praises.
I read a deeper meaning to the Raja Muda’s refusal to accept public funding for his wedding. He is a genuine prince, and his marriage is the product of true love. Like us, he knows that the flattering public displays of devotions and tributes in those effusive newspaper advertisements are phony. There was nothing generous in the Mentri Besar offering money that is not his to the prince. Unlike our political leaders, The Raja Muda intuitively knew that the path to the citizens’ hearts is not to have them spend money on him but for him to spend money on the citizens.
As Raja Nazrin Shah and Zara Salim Davidson begin their life together, I join millions of others in wishing them many years of blissful marriage. May they bring happiness to each other, and may Allah shower His Mercy and Blessings upon them. May their example of charity, grace and moderation rub off on all of us – leaders and followers alike.
May 27th, 2007 at 10:44 pm
His Royal Highness Raja Muda of Perak is a leader who should be admired for his character, integrity and academic achievements with degrees from Oxford University and Harvard University. This is a rare combination.
I am naturally proud that his consort, Zara Salim Davidson is from a very distinguished family from Kedah Darul Aman. She has an outstanding academic record herself.
Yes, Dr Bakri, I join you in wishing the Royal Couple all the very best for their future together.
May 28th, 2007 at 2:01 am
[...] What A Contrast In Leadership! [...]
May 28th, 2007 at 3:47 am
Dr. Bakri Musa said:
“While Raja Nazrin appeals to the finer qualities of our fellow citizens, these other leaders derive their strength by instigating their followers’ sinister side. Raja Muda’s speech touched our hearts; these other leaders’ rhetoric chilled our spines.”
Well-said. Well-said. This is the crux of the difference between genuine, caring leaders and opportunistic leaders.
May 28th, 2007 at 7:08 am
Regardless of Prince Nazrin’s quality, I still hold to my belief that monarchies have no place in the 21st century, and beyond.
I’m not sure if the above statement applies to the British monarchy because it does pay taxes, and is actually a successful tourist attraction.
Salam.
May 28th, 2007 at 9:03 am
Raja Nazrin Shah has won the hearts of all Malaysians. He is simple, dignified, truly Perak’s pride.
Hope his exemplary modesty and rectitude – wanting only a simple royal wedding, declining assistance of state-allocated funds, has pricked the conscience of those ‘royal leeches’ and commoners alike who show off their larvish weddings, grander than those fit for kings and queens!
May 28th, 2007 at 1:46 pm
Jong, it might have been in bad taste, but its their money.
May 28th, 2007 at 5:35 pm
Well, kengleong, in most instances it’s the rakyat’s money that goes into making royal weddings grand. Nazrin is an exception. He declined the offer made by the MB. That was most admirable of him.
May 29th, 2007 at 5:22 pm
Maybe they should start paying taxes as well. Then we could really call them totally in tune with modernity. One simple gesture which is only expected and we suddenly forget all other instances of inequity. In any event that was a clever spin. We almost bought it, hook line and sinker.
May 29th, 2007 at 10:24 pm
Despite incessant accolades on Nazrin’s royal wedding, we are not sure as to whether his royal wedding was purely on his pocket money or the Istana may ask for a reimbursement in the wee hours of the night.
Refusal the state fund offer as reported in the local dailies dose not picture the hidden lavish spending of the royal family.
May 30th, 2007 at 7:34 pm
Mika Angel-0 said…
where row
where row
where row
Read akadirjasin.blogspot.com!!!
Kuda Kepang,
“Red84 said…
Datuk Abdul Kadir Jasin
Salaam
Dtk Ruhanie Ahmad - Owner of Blogs Kuda Kepang, Mayaputera, Cyberprince and Global Partner
: Bloggers’ Ethics
Datuk,
I have been posting comments on these blogs regulary for quiet sometimes now under my pseudonym Mika Angel-0.
What I would like to bring to your attention is that some of my postings on Gerbang Ruhanie (at kuda kepang.blogspot.com) - all those comments posted earlier than January 2007 - have been tampered with. ‘Mika Angel-0 said’ has been substituted with ‘Anonymous said’.
I find this quite strange: why would anyone do that to one particular blogger’s postings and not to the other few bloggers’ postings. It beats me how one can do that.
The bigger issue here is not that but is Ruhanie Ahmad a trustworthy man? I have been pondering this question for quite sometimes.
Well, if I am very much mistaken this man hates Tun Mahathir but he pretends to admire him. This is just heresay.
I do hope you will reply to this one query - more on the fact of his rapport with Tun Mahathir; but please delete this posting to you, Datuk.
If I am right of my suspicions of him - ie that he is untrustworthy - just say That is Dumb of you Red84; and if I am wrong - Dumber still.
Terima Kasih.
11:12 AM ”
I submit the following to you as an example:
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Bush Hubungi PM
Bincang Pergolakan
Politik Lubnan
WASHINGTON: Presiden Amerika Syarikat, George W Bush dan Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi membincangkan perkembangan terbaru di Lubnan yang menghadapi masalah politik berikutan usaha pembangkang menjatuhkan pentadbiran pimpinan Perdana Menteri, Fuad Siniora… Abdullah memberi pandangan selaku pengerusi Pertubuhan Persidangan Islam (OIC) yang mempunyai 57 negara anggota… Dua pemimpin itu juga membincangkan isu program nuklear Iran, kata Fratto tanpa memberi penerangan lebih jelas butir perbincangan… Iran pula meneruskan program nuklear. – AFP/Reuters
http://www.bharian.com.my/m/BHarian/Saturday/Nasional/20061216110520/Article/
Posted by Kuda Kepang at 5:19 AM
11 comments:
malaysia said…
This post has been removed by a blog administrator.
6:42 AM
malaysia said…
This post has been removed by a blog administrator.
12:38 AM
Anonymous said…
YB
Bertuahlah negara Malaysia tersayang sehingga ada yang mahu meniru-niru kejayaannya walaupun hanya sedikit cerdik-cerdik Pak Pandir bersorak.
Ya! Malaysia Berjaya!
Sorak ramai-ramai. Mari!
Mari kawan-kawan kita
tengok siapa kena!
Halalan-toyyiban?
Mau ratah pun ratah lah
tak berbismillah pun
apa kira.
Orang malaysia ikut Imam Mudhari.
Tapi Nomber Dua saya punya!!!
et tu, brutus?
10:35 AM
malaysia said…
This post has been removed by a blog administrator.
7:02 PM
Anonymous said…
Thank You Malaysia!
mememang betul ramalan
toyol Ruhanie
najib balik kampung
tanam jagung!
nyata Malaysia
benci najib.
thank you brutus!
8:09 PM
malaysia said…
This post has been removed by a blog administrator.
10:09 PM
Anonymous said…
Status Report
(Tolong Bagitau PM)
dah check
GPS, labu-labu, C4
all working ok!
tapi ini kokak punya kapal
bukan macam Cobra Sultan itu
ini kapal banggap
untuk orang macam bangau main biola
kapal bau keju hapak
sambil menyelam minum air
kapal selam jaga PM
dengan topedo, tomahawk dan
tombak megat karat
right behind
directly astern!
tapi kena tabik sama
- three fingers salute!
pada PM dan
topi perancis cap kepala ayam
hats off to malaysia
dapat naik kapal layar
belayar
into the sunset
periscope up!
angle right!
PM has the com!
Dive, dive, dive!
kalau dah habis ratah
jangan lupa
alhmadulillah!
baru bukan
toyyiban taliban
10:47 AM
malaysia said…
This post has been removed by a blog administrator.
1:47 PM
malaysia said…
This post has been removed by a blog administrator.
5:57 AM
Anonymous said…
TOLONG FIKIRKAN APA SUDAH JADI….BUAT MALU ORANG MELAYU
Pusat Bandar… Nampak macam hebat sangat la depa
10:39 PM
Mika Angel-0 said…
Mika Angel-0 said,
Ya! Malaysia Berjaya!
Sorak ramai-ramai. Mari!
Mari kawan-kawan kita
tengok siapa kena!
thank you brutus
Status Report
(Bagitau PM)
Ahh,
do you really know Tun Mahathir
kuda kepang? Sure you do!
Mika Angel-0
(May 30th, 2007)
9:23 AM
I will let you figure out which are the comments by Mika Angel-0.
Something for your thesis, kuda kepang.
The moral here: Blog or comment at your own peril: caveat emptor!
Sekian
Mika Angel-0
May 30th, 2007
heresay: The fact A. Mad Ronny writes under the pseudonym thegreatteadrinkerdownsouth
where row
where row
where row
integrity means alot to me
May 30th, 2007 at 7:38 pm
Sorry, Doc
I had to get it out of my system
Just trying to get even
Shhhsh, keboom bang
I hope will understand, Doc
May 30th, 2007 at 8:03 pm
What else can i say about this piece by Bakri apart from the obvious - my nick name says it all… ‘long live the Raja Muda’… at least there are something to be proud of in the middle of this dirty world i.e the Malaysian politics…
The monarch can be a key to changes when there is no more farmers, relying on the corrupt executives is no option. I went to the wedding ceremony of King Zakaria’s prince, nothing like the real prince. A mixture of stupidity, greed, materialism and other recipe of uncivilised populace.
May 31st, 2007 at 8:41 am
“Hishamuddin’s father, Hussein Onn, was noted for his integrity and intolerance of corruption. Despite intense opposition and at a considerable cost to his popularity, Hussein refused to block the prosecution for corruption of a popular senior UMNO figure. Unfortunately, none of these sterling qualities filtered down to Hishamuddin.”
Try having a little bit more faith in this young man.
The example he has to work on is not that sterling but we shall have to work harder. He is a brilliant young man - no doubt at 45, one could have been a Prime Minister of UK.
We know that Hishammuddin will come thru. The qualities are there.
Still, it would be interesting to know are the possible candidates that have the qualities that are as you say ’sterling’
Peace.
(there is a new tennisplayer beatmaker from CalBear: Kallim-Jamal Glen Stewart-Mohamed) His music is wonderful, Doc)
June 1st, 2007 at 3:23 am
I am not sure Hishamuddin will come thru much less his qualities. He has been seen to condone corruption, what a far cry from his father.
Remember not too long ago he chastised Ong Tee Kiat for exposing a scam where a certain school repair job worth RM3000 was billed for RM30000? Why did he chastise the whistleblower and not the contractor is something I still can’t get over till this day. Is it because the contractor is from UMNO? If that’s the case how can he be a good leader if he’s more concerned about ethnic matters than the common good.
One more thing Hishamuddin is insensitive to the feelings of other races. He has waved his keris during the past 2 UMNO GAs inspite of numerous complaints. This is plain thuggish behavior.
God help this nation if he becomes the PM of this country.
June 1st, 2007 at 8:24 am
Just name one cabinet minister who is clean. You join politics to be corrupt not to be a goodie. Period. Kerishamuddin has to stay ahead otherwise KJ will boot him out. If his cousin Najib is out his place in Umno becomes untenable. His staying power is eroding, slowly but surely.
June 1st, 2007 at 11:03 pm
In an age of where everything is game and a free for all, i remember a memorable line from a movie :-
“You sharpen the human appetite to the point where it can split atoms with its desire; you build egos the size of cathedrals; fiber-optically connect the world to every eager impulse; grease even the dullest dreams with these dollar-green, gold-plated fantasies, until every human becomes an aspiring emperor, becomes his own God… and where can you go from there?…………..And as we’re straddling from one deal to the next, who’s got his eye on the planet, as the air thickens, the water sours, and even the bees’ honey takes on the metallic taste of radioactivity? And it just keeps coming, faster and faster. There’s no chance to think, to prepare; it’s buy futures, sell futures, when there is no future.”
June 5th, 2007 at 11:19 am
if only Raja Nazrin will run for office,lots of people will vote for him and he will the ‘N”in RAHMAN.
We do not see him as a Malay prince but a malaysian prince. Smart, humble and has great leadership quality unlike some educated dungus we have in govt and non govt who think he/they are PMs. He has shown the politicians and the royal wannabes like Siti and Datuk K that they should not go overboard.
look at R.Nazrin and the Sultan of Selangor, I wish they were ruling the country instead of our current leaders who are doing this country no good.
long live the Malaysian prince and his bride!!!
June 8th, 2007 at 7:34 am
well, nazrin is most welcome to enter politics and as was said by Mahathir; you take your chances.
well, nazrin, you have your ride - enjoy it! bro - while i have my harley.
say, you still afraid to sleep in the bukit chandan istana, dude(nazrin)?
well, let us know when you do sleep in that room and in the morning you’re still in the same bed. love to hear that and maybe then you’ll be my prince.