OF NAJIB & ROSMAH: THE ‘UNTOUCHABLES' – journey from petty criminals to heroes & VICE-VERSA

In many countries some criminals behave like heads of state, because they wield absolute power and are ruthless. Some heads of state behave like criminals, because they steal and commit crimes.

Many of these people claim they are "untouchable". Many gangland leaders have an equally supportive but sadistic partner, just like some heads of state, who depend on their spouse for emotional support.

Bizarrely, we treat some gangsters like heroes, and accord them celebrity status. So, why do we build myths around them? These men may be notorious thugs, but we tend to romanticise them.

The latest blockbuster is the film "Legend," in which Brian Helgeland portrays the Kray twins, Reggie, and his homosexual brother Ronald, dominated the east-end of London in the 1960s. They ruled with fear, but despite their sadistic streak, they were revered by many.

Heads of state and gangsters have similar traits, such as these:

Power dressing – The Krays were photographed by celebrity photographer David Bailey. The Krays dressed in Saville Row three-piece suits, white shirts, narrow ties and had slicked-up black hair. Looks count, and the Krays, just like many heads of state, made full use of their image, to appear "respectable".

Loving the limelight – Most crooks amass their millions in the shadows, and try to avoid the limelight, not so the Krays. They craved the limelight and liked to boast about their friends, who were film stars and television personalities. The Krays were friends with the famous, like Diana Dors, Frank Sinatra, and boxing champions, Rocky Marciano, and Joe Louis.

Silencing their critics – Few dared to cross the path of the Krays, for fear of being maimed or killed. They were violent and would punish people for the slightest perceived offence. Heads of state do the same, to silence their critics.

Sycophants adored them – Despite their psychotic violence, their many followers looked up to them and broke the law, for them. Sycophants were handsomely rewarded.

A doting mother – The Kray's mother treated them as "special" from the time they were born. She ensured everyone treated them as extraordinary people. Reggie used to tell people, "From an early age, we took it for granted that we'd become famous.”Their mother refused to believe they were psychopathic murderers.

The perfect image – The Krays did not use a public relations (PR) company to market themselves. They simply watched the films of Humphrey Bogart and Jimmy Cagney, then copied their various mannerisms. Image was everything. Some heads of state would save their nations’ money, by watching Hollywood films instead of hiring expensive PR firms.

Stage-managed performance – The Krays nurtured their reputations with care. They would have music in the background, to accompany some of their murders. Some people thought they were "telepathic", because they never spoke a word to one another, as they battered people. Similarly, many heads of state have choreographed performances.

Reputations which preceded them – Having cultivated an image of violence, the Krays had no difficulty extracting protection money from businesses, in London's east end. People paid up, for fear of being punished.

Myth building – People would be encouraged to talk about the Krays' "generosity". Many of their so-called fund-raising events for under-privileged children, were just a front for their criminal activities. The stolen money was spent on luxuries for themselves.

A life of denial – The Krays were out-of-touch with reality and claimed that they made the streets safer, because they only engaged in gangster-on-gangster violence and never hurt the public. Incredibly, many of the stars they socialised with, closed one eye to their crimes. This phenomenon is also common with some heads of state.

Fortunately, we do not suffer from leaders with delusions of grandeur, in Malaysia. - http://theantdaily.com/