Malaysia has produced an endless stream of politicians who are masters in the art but failed to give birth to a leader - based on S Arutchelvan’s definition of the term and the traits associated with it.
Therefore, he disagreed with Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah’s assessment that Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh possessed the potential to become a “great leader”.
“This is tragic and disheartening,” said the PSM deputy chairperson to Malaysiakini. “It shows that time has stood still in Malaysia as far as politics is concerned.”
Arutchelvan (above, left) said it is also regrettable that a new generation of leaders like Akmal, 36, chose to follow in the footsteps of their predecessors, who have created significant damage.
“This means time will continue to stand still in Malaysia for decades to come,” he added.
He pointed out that a “great leader” unites the people and steers the nation forward, not exacerbating divisions for his or her personal advancement regardless of the consequences.
In the PSM leader’s book, Umno’s founder Onn Jaafar was a “great leader” who recognised communal politics was detrimental and advocated for Umno to open its doors to all races.
“For this vision, which still eludes politicians 71 years after his resignation, he was forced out (of the party).
“Many feel it is easier to be the leader of a tribe than a nation. A great leader of a tribe does not necessarily translate into a great leader for the country,” he added.
Arutchelvan said Akmal, like those before him, realised that to achieve political stardom, the most expeditious formula is to exploit race and religion in a multiracial and multireligious nation.
“His ballistic responses to the KK Mart and halal certification issues turned him into a household name and this has even impressed someone like Tengku Razaleigh, who even at this ripe old age (87) fails to realise that there is nothing but potential trouble in such rabble-rousing antics.
“Instead of reprimanding him, the Umno veteran encourages him.
“Then again, even Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who is a decade older than Kuli and six decades older than Akmal at 99, is employing the same stratagem to remain relevant,” he lamented.
‘It’s in Anwar’s hands’
However, Arutchelvan said Tengku Razaleigh, a 12-time MP who is also known as Ku Li, was correct in leaving Akmal’s political future in the “hands of the divine” when asked how successful he would be.
“This suggests that the Umno veteran realises that the pyrotechnics would eventually fizzle out, or worse, set the country on fire. There is no point in battling for the throne when the kingdom is engulfed in flames,” he added.
He pointed out that Pakatan Harapan chairperson Anwar Ibrahim had launched his political career on a similar trajectory but was forced to alter his course when Mahathir sacked him in 1998.
“So let us forget about Mahathir squandering his second chance to right his wrongs when he became prime minister again in 2018. That is done and dusted. Mahathir is Mahathir.
“But Anwar still has time. He too has been given a chance.
“Will the reformist institute the reforms he promised and usher Malaysia into a ‘new dawn’ or are we destined to witness another sunset under his watch?
“Will Anwar be a statesperson who looks at the next generation or just another politician who looks at the next general election? This is not in God’s hands, it is in his,” Arutchelvan added. - Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.