As a Christian, I normally receive more Christmas greetings from friends and associates than on any other festive occasion during the year, including Chinese New Year.
Gone are the days of the physical Christmas card but whether it’s the virtual or e-card, the message of hope, peace and joy of Yuletide is there. To me, that is still a Christmas card, honouring the traditions of the occasion that mark an important part in the lives of Christians.
I’m particularly delighted to receive Christmas greetings from non-Christian friends. It warms the heart to know that those of other faiths remember you during Christmas and that they also share the joys of the miraculous birth of the Saviour with all Christians. This is the true meaning and spirit of Christmas.
This is not to dampen the Christmas mood but I am compelled to mention this.
To controversial preachers like Zakir Naik who had proclaimed aloud in recent years that Muslims are not permitted to wish Christians “Merry Christmas”, please know that even your fellow Muslims in Malaysia pay no attention to your hate preaching.
This includes the Yang di-Pertuan Agong who has never failed to send his Christmas greetings to Malaysian Christians.
As in previous years, the majority of Christmas greetings this time around also came from politician friends. Aha, most are personal friends but they are politicians, so here’s a little thought which I would like to share with them and with all politicians who bother to read this.
On Christmas Day, a friend posted on Facebook the 2016 Christmas message of the late Sarawak chief minister Adenan Satem. Accompanying the message was a photo of Adenan and his wife, Jamilah Anu, standing in front of a gigantic brightly lit Christmas tree.
I have this peculiar habit of paying attention to the way politicians sign off their greetings. To me, it says a lot about their state of mind and, more glaringly, about the attention they pay to position and status.
Everyone has an ego but when politicians display it, it somehow reflects badly on them. Boosting one's sense of self-esteem or self-importance is not a particularly favourable trait of a politician, in my book at least.
So how did Adenan sign off in his 2016 Christmas message? A very simple and humble “Adenan, Jamilah & family”. There was no “YAB Tan Sri Datuk Patinggi..., Chief Minister, Sarawak”.
Adenan had the personal touch which is sadly left wanting in many politicians today. He did not bother with his many honorifics or his position behind his name. A leader who does not lack self-esteem is never bothered about self-importance.
This was Adenan and this is why he is still very much revered and loved by Sarawakians. Christmas 2016 was also his final Christmas message. Adenan passed on 17 days later on Jan 11, 2017.
As examples, let me mention two Christmas cards I received from politician friends which I would describe as humbling, personal, favourable and fitting to the occasion.
One came from Tourism Minister Nancy Shukri and the other from Sarawak Assistant Tourism Minister Sebastian Ting.
The federal minister signed off as just “Nancy Shukri” with no “YB Datuk Seri”. Why, everyone knows she has a datukship but who cares how many titles you have before your name? I don’t. I am also aware that Nancy is not a minister who is status-conscious and that is a plus point for me in a political leader. So well done, Nancy.
Ting did a pretty well-thought greeting with just a few lines extending his best wishes for Yuletide. He did not even sign off with his name as his photo in the card was enough to tell all who he was. I thought that was cute and smart. No name, no “YB Datuk”, no nothing – now that’s a Christmas card!
I feel a little awkward for this critique of another greeting card but I will mention no name. It came from another minister with his full titles and his position. What is noteworthy is that he is a Christian.
Many might think that I am dealing with a trivial issue here. That is understandable for most. VIPs could have reasons why their many honorifics must show in their greeting cards. That has to be respected.
It’s just that I happen to put simplicity and humility on top of my score sheet. Like I’ve said, having an ego and the need to feel important is not wrong. But that would be showing that you are a class above many others. That does not work for me, especially if you are a politician.
Psychoanalysis of ego is “the part of the mind that mediates between the conscious and the unconscious and is responsible for reality testing and a sense of personal identity”. It’s a trap which we should avoid.
We all know that outgoing US President Donald Trump has an ego the size of an ostrich egg. But what has happened to the most powerful man on the planet today? Don’t be a Trump.
I believe I will be receiving fewer greeting cards from politician friends after this, probably none at all for the forthcoming Chinese New Year in February. Haha.
But if you are a big shot (if you think you are one) and if your name is Joseph, I would love to receive one from you, signing off as simply from “Joe & family”.
That will make my day.
FRANCIS PAUL SIAH is the author of ‘Hijack in Malaysia: The Fall of Pakatan Harapan’. Obtain autographed copies from sirsiah@gmail.com. - Mkini
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.
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