We are here today, gone tomorrow

 

I have been described as being "morbid" by some when I was young, when I told friends that we should never think we will live long, or even live forever.

I started talking about "what if I died before 30?" And when I did not, I shifted the last lap to 40, and so on.

I am turning 78 this year and I am always asking myself "what if I died tomorrow?" Certainly, it's not being "morbid". Only being realistic.

As such, I put my tenure in public service in that context. To do whatever good that I can. To put nation before self. To contribute my small efforts, within the bigger team, to help leave a better Malaysia for the generations of Malaysians coming after us.

There are no set guidelines and SOPs for people holding posts in the government, especially the politicians, except for the specific laws, rules, procedures, as prescribed and documented, usually pertaining to processes of decision making.

There are no "commandments" that makes it imperative for office bearers, to adhere to, with clear penalties for proven violations. These are inevitably linked to values and principles, and to the setting of the collective compass, of national service, in the right direction all the time.

No human is perfect and infallible. But when we are serving people and nation, we have to be the best that we can, putting the nation before self, in every context. 

To strengthen bonds amongst the diversity of Malaysians, not to cause fractiousness, divisiveness, and to divide and rule, and to apply the obnoxious orang kita approach, "us and them".

The only orang kita are our fellow Malaysians, regardless of racial origins, faith, gender, or political affiliations. As such, those tasked with governance, whether in the public or private sector domains must avoid being wrongly guided and motivated, by the self-serving orang kita syndrome, to the exclusion of everyone else who is not regarded as "our people".

The only "our people" are our fellow Malaysians, who all live in a dynamic and ever-changing regional and global environment, and need to preempt, face and overcome all the challenges that arise out of the dynamics of the external environment, as well as to optimise the positives that do present themselves as opportunities.

But that requires public functionaries, who understand what is really good for the nation, and the people and are committed to serve Malaysia and all Malaysians. Not self-serving, not driven by greed and positions and power.

Always aware that we are all here only for a short time. We should not squander that time given to us, doing only what endless greed dictates, or to "make hay while the sun shines". So grab everything in sight!

When we go to face our Maker, we bring nothing with us. Muslims are buried in white cloth, unstitched and left alone to answer for each individual's time in this world. All are left behind.

As such, it is always imperative, for those tasked with governing, and nation-building, to remember what their roles and responsibilities are, to be always on the straight and narrow, to have good values and principles, to help set the national compass, on the right course.

In fact when individual compasses of those in authority go off tangent, then it will cause the national compass itself to go awry. And the nation will be set back from making progress, and slide backwards and downwards.

The future generations will inherit the debilitating "legacies" of irresponsible, incompetent, and self-serving people in positions of authority.

It has been said that "politicians think of the next elections but statesmen think of the next generation". Surely, there is truth in that.

We, as Malaysians, cannot afford to have governments that are integrity and competence challenged, as we are continuously witnessing.

Our nation needs resetting of the national compass, synchronised in the right direction, and following the right course, resilient enough to bend with the winds and not break but able to bounce back.

Able to once again successfully compete in the marketplace, and once again, making a mark in the global fraternity of nations, as a highly respected entity, and one that stands out as an example of good governance and national leadership.

That is what we all should leave as our "legacy" for the generations after us.

After all, we are only here today and gone tomorrow. - Mkini

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RAFIDAH AZIZ is a former minister.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.