PM: Good leadership about values, without which there will be monsters

Good leadership is about good values, the absence of which leads to the creation of monsters, says Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

"To me, leadership is not rocket science. It is about everyday values," he said at the launch of the University Scholars Leadership Symposium in Shah Alam today.

Mahathir said the values a leader must possess are integrity and honesty, a drive to work hard and take pride in said work, a hunger for knowledge, being aware of situational changes, and being humble.

"Suffice to say, all the values that have been impressed in our religion, culture and customs will keep a leader’s feet firmly on the ground," he added.

Addressing the varsity students present, Mahathir said while being competitive is good, values must not be cast aside.

"If values and noble ideas are cast aside in the rat race, we will end up as a nation bereft of all that is humane and impassionate, as well as being without humility and sensitivity.

"All the negative values and counter cultures will be the order of the day, and I dread to imagine if that were to happen, what kind of monsters we will be producing in the future.

"Therefore, to become real leaders, we need to ensure that we stick to noble values while keeping up to date with the changes that are affecting us," he said.

Mahathir's comment comes amid rife speculation about the future leadership of the country.

The 94-year-old has repeatedly pledged to hand over power to PKR president Anwar Ibrahim and insist he will not stay a full term unless forced.

However, Mahathir has also confirmed a meeting with opposition leaders from Umno, PAS, and Gabungan Parti Sarawak.

While he said such meetings were normal, a report by The Star claimed the meeting had the leaders pledge their support for the prime minister to serve a full term instead of stepping down midway.

A senior Pakatan Harapan leader was also said the be present at the meeting.

It is speculated that this might be PKR deputy president Azmin Ali, who has also supported calls for Mahathir to stay on for a full term.

GPS chairperson Abang Johari Openg also claimed it was Mahathir who extended the invitations to the meeting. - Mkini