By : SELVARAJA SOMIAH
NO PRIME MINISTER in Malaysia’s history has ever expressed
helplessness in facing challenges that have come up during his tenure.
No Prime Minister has ever sought refuge in compulsions in dealing with
crucial national matters.
No Prime Minister has admitted to the failings of his Cabinet colleagues while trying to absolve himself.
No Prime Minister has ever tried to correct his image at the expense of
his party or his coalition partners. The reason is simple: the buck
stops at the Prime Minister’s office.
Over the weekend, rumors were rife that Najib had fallen ill with mild
stroke. According to friends from Putrajaya, doctors have been on
standby in Pekan where Najib is said to be recuperating.
Najib and his wife Rosmah has been under tremendous pressure because of
his corruption scandals expecially in connection to the Scorpene
submarines and the Altantuya Shaariibuu C4 murder.
To make matters worst his Deputy Muhyideen has ganged-up with former
Premier Mahathir to oust him as UMNO President and Prime Minister before
the 13th GE is held and this is an open secret.
What is his helplessness all about even if he considers it is due to Mahathir’s interference?
If Najib is the Prime Minister today is because Najib took over as UMNO
President and the country’s 6th Prime Minister after helping Mahathir
and Muhyiddin to oust Abdullah Badawi who was blamed for the UMNO-BN’s
weak performance in the 2008 elections.
Had the Barisan National got a two-third majority in 2008, he would not
have been the chosen one. But being Prime Minister is not a license for
corruption or inefficiency.
If anyone feels as strongly about the evils of interference by the
“puppet master”, there is no compulsion of being associated with such
politics or the offices it brings along with it.
When the Prime Minister shows he is helpless, is he not letting down the
rakyat? Is he showing that he is helpless in serving the poor, who
elected his government and have great expectations? The poor would have
wanted prices to be in check, corruption within his ministers curbed and
the influence of corporate giants contained.
Najib must realize that he is occupying a seat that was once occupied by
a great visionary and statesman: Tun Abdul Razak his father, the man
who faced many challenges in his life. But he never said he was
helpless.
The same office was held by humble but strong willed Tun Hussein Onn,
acclaimed for his discipline and against all corruption. He was never
helpless.
Neither was Tengku Abdul Rahman, a leader whose mass base was astounding
and who came to power after getting independence. He was faced with
confrontation with Sukarno’s Indonesia, he was faced with political
crisis with Lee Kuan Yew and even within Umno he had to face people like
Mahathir who was undermining him from inside, including racial riots
and the separation of Singapore but did not yield to the pressure of the
syndicate.
He dug his heels and abolished privy purses. He was never helpless when
he even fought the Singapore leaders with all chips down.
Even Abdulah Badawi never displayed helplessness. When his time was up,
he just went but did not blame political situations, colleagues and
circumstances. But perhaps all these leaders were from the political
class and were not there after their tenures in other fields had ended.
Perhaps they were made of sterner stuff.
But they all realized and respected the fact that Prime Ministers can
never show helplessness. If they were then what would happen to the
country? If they lose relevance, they go.
Before going public with his limitations, Najib should have stated his
piece before Malaysians, who elected Barisan National as its leader and
subsequently the Yang Dipertuan Agong endorsed his elevation to the
position of the Prime Minister.
He must learn from his predecessors and dig in his heels to fight
corruption and inefficiency. He must always remember that the buck stops
at his doorstep.
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