Walski’s Note: This is Part II of the third article by guest writer Mikhail Hafiz (follow him at @IMMikhailHafiz on X), a young Malaysian who writes eloquently on nationhood and his thoughts about how Malaysia can progressively move forward. Since this blog has been resuscitated from its deep slumber, I figured it would be a good idea to post more of Mikhail’s writings. This essay is part of Mikhail’s Rediscovering Malaysia series of articles, which he ultimately would like to publish in book form, sometime in the near future. This essay was originally posted as a thread on X, and is presented here with the express permission of the author, and is presented as-is, save some formatting edits.
Part I: Read Here
Part II:
While it is impossible for our aspiring architect leaders to prepare themselves fully for their roles, they can (and should), with the correct values, attitudes and courage, take on the responsibilities of political stewardship, despite encountering these formidable challenges:
“Old Guards vs Young Turks” Predicament
Will the older generation of leaders be willing to mentor their protégés and relinquish their positions to their successors, so that the latter are given the opportunity to hone their leadership skills?
In other words, will the Old Guards look favourably upon the challenge of incumbency mounted by the Young Turks? Or will they regard their charges sceptically, insisting that the latter are too inexperienced, too rash and too eager to change the world overnight?
As the world continues to evolve and each successive generation ushers in new regional and international political developments, these leaders should be given the opportunity to prove their worth and map out their idiosyncratic, innovative and unorthodox leadership styles, within the constraints imposed by the two pillars of our parliamentary democracy: rule of law and constitutional supremacy.
These perceived political “enfants terribles” should not be seen as a threat to their predecessors, or as disruptive forces in our country.
Perhaps the singular determinant of success or failure in this specific area of leadership is the ability to adopt an attitude of healthy confidence in governance and public engagement, as opposed to one of odious arrogance, and to not conflate the former with the latter.
Where confidence is quiet, focused and contained, arrogance is loud, brash and attention seeking.
As such, studied sprezzatura, no matter how hard it tries, will never possess the seamless stylishness, effortless nonchalance and unforced élan of its authentic, aspirational benchmark.
“Progressive vs Regressive Politics” Paradigm
Will tomorrow’s leaders be able to wean themselves – and the citizenry – from identity politics and resist the temptation to indulge in personality politics, in order to fully embrace inclusionary and reformist politics?
Will they be able to prise Malaysians who are addicted to the fear and grievances being peddled by ethnoreligious tribalists away from rampant racial and religious polarisation?
Will they also be able to free Malaysians who are caught in the clutches of a cult-like adoration of their political counterparts from unquestioning acquiescence and unconditional loyalty to the subjects of their idol and idle worship?
As I have previously opined, in my second article of this series, titled ‘O Bangsa Malaysia, Wherefore Art Thou?‘, which addresses the contentious and perplexing issue of national identity:
“[E]thnocentrism, as an ideology for modern nation building, [is incongruous with Malaysian nationalism, as it] effectively dismisses the inherent and prevailing inter-cultural hybridity and cosmopolitanism of our country … and the South East Asian region …”
In contrast, personality politics develops the conceptual link between persona and power by promoting and showcasing the political leader as a messianic figure.
This elaborate and insidious exercise in illusion is achieved through the employment of a bifurcative stratagem:
1) extolling his many virtues, in order to persuade and convince the target audience – often with additional assist from religious overtones – that this remarkable individual is (apparently) infallible and thus, an indispensable champion and protector of the people; and 2) selectively highlighting the inadequacies and ineptness of his adversaries, in order to perpetrate (and perpetuate) the narrative of an inferior challenger.
While it is ostensibly viewed as the less detrimental ideology, political cultism is as debilitating to the psychological, emotional and philosophical development of a nation, as its regressive counterpart.
As learned educator, scholar and political analyst Bridget Welsh elucidates:
“Malaysians see governance by focusing on leaders, putting them on pedestals when they perform and pillorying them when they fail to meet expectations.“
“Lenses are tainted by a history of divisive politics that often forgives unforgivable acts of abuse, and excuses poor performance.“
(source: A Way Forward for Malaysia)
For far too long, Malaysians have demonstrated an overzealous fixation on political personalities and dynasties, instead of focusing on the policies their parties offer.
It is time to supplant a superficial mindset with a substantive outlook.
By clinging stubbornly to identity and personality politics, which are exclusionary and divisive in nature, and no longer serve their purposes in an ethnically plural, religiously diverse and inherently multicultural polity, Malaysia comes across, ideologically and politically, as an antiquated artefact, a relic of the past, instead of serving as an inspirational beacon of meritocracy, equality and justice for one and all, as she continues to be outpaced by, and lag behind, her regional neighbours.
“Certificate of Fairness vs Authoritarian or Mercenary Populism” Conundrum
Can our future leaders demonstrate impartiality by bringing what former Attorney General Tommy Thomas describes as a “Certificate of Fairness” to their decision making process, as former Deputy Prime Minister Tun Dr Ismail Abdul Rahman (widely regarded as “the best Prime Minister Malaysia never had”) did several decades ago?
Or will they, conversely, resort to authoritarian populism, which has saddled Malaysia with the unflattering, uncharitable and undesirable twin monikers of “competitive authoritarian system” and “guided democracy”?
There is also the distinct possibility that they may succumb to mercenary populism, which is characterised by opportunistic political skulduggery and anodyne lip service.
This disingenuous display of fawning, obsequious servitude frequently manifests itself in vacillating stances on salient and emotive issues, and crowd pleasing sound bytes, with the latter often accompanied by ingratiating expressions of appeasement and gratitude.
It is a fate that has, unfortunately yet unsurprisingly, befallen faux centrists and pseudo progressives from both sides of the political divide, in their individual pursuit of political expediency and personal gain.
Also, should any of our future leaders find themselves embroiled in political coups, controversy and corruption, will they be able to free themselves from continually spiralling down the vortex of moral depletion?
More importantly, will they possess the impetus to do so, especially if they appear to have divested themselves of their moral compasses, instead of merely misplacing these “cumbersome appliances”, which would otherwise broadcast reminders of their moral ineptitude at an alarming frequency?
This is where the prized human attribute of self awareness comes into play.
Without self awareness, there is no self reflection.
Without self reflection, there is no self examination.
Without self examination, there is no self correction.
Without self correction, there is no self development.
Coming to terms with ourselves means coming to terms with our responsibilities, our actions and their consequences.
A conscientious leader constantly examines himself, acknowledges his limitations, and continues to learn and improve.
Bennis, widely regarded as a pioneer in the contemporary field of leadership studies, cautions that “[t]he most dangerous leadership myth is that leaders are born – that there is a genetic factor to leadership”, asserting instead that “[l]eaders are made rather than born.“
It is a viewpoint that receives strong support from legendary sports coach Vince Lombardi (1913-1970):
“Leaders aren’t born, they are made. And they are made just like anything else, through hard work. And that’s the price we’ll have to pay to achieve that goal, or any goal.“
Leadership is not only a challenge to be surmounted, but also a responsibility to be shouldered. The success or failure of a leader therefore depends on whether his shoulders are, metaphorically speaking, wide and sturdy enough to bear this sizeable burden.
It is only when our leaders have acquired the requisite expertise and experience that they are able to propagate the kind of statesmanship needed to propel our nation to greater heights.
To paraphrase a popular and well known idiom by one Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (1869-1948), Malaysia’s future depends on what her leaders do today.
So, do we look to the future with guarded optimism or abject despondency?
How one views the current state of Malaysian political leadership will depend on whether one subscribes to the notion that the glass is always half full, or whether one strongly believes that the glass is perennially half empty.
Eternal optimists will attest to the existence of potential leaders in every generation by referencing statesmen who have (sadly) taken their rightful places in the scintillating constellation of dearly departed political giants, while perpetual pessimists will insist that we are slowly being submerged in the quicksand of dire straits and sinking into political obsolescence and oblivion.
It would not be unreasonable to suggest that the reality lies somewhere in the middle of these two extremes, as evidenced by a coterie of capable politicians whose vocational trajectories appear to be stymied by the lack of leadership opportunities.
Regardless of the obstacles faced by our leaders, it is increasingly infeasible to ignore the tidal wave of individual and collective voices coming from the younger demographic, who are calling for sweeping changes to our stultifying political quagmire.
Understandably, this clarion call for much needed and long awaited institutional, systemic, electoral and procedural reform carries considerable political heft, and deservedly so.
According to an announcement by the Election Commission on 14 January 2022, 1.2 million voters between the ages of 18 and 20 will be able to exercise their democratic right at the ballot box for the first time in the next general election.
This groundbreaking electoral and political development is a result of bipartisan support for the historic amendment to Article 119 of our Federal Constitution (Qualification of electors) that lowers the voting age from 21 to 18 years old.
Thomas Fann, Chairman of the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih 2.0), has projected that “18- to 40-year-olds would make up 12.2 million or 58 per cent of the total electorate if an election is held in the middle of next year.“
He further opines: “Young voters will be the kingmakers in the future elections. Whichever party or coalition that aspires to rule the country must appeal to this group. Ignoring them would be political suicide.“
(Source: Channelnews Asia)
Youth voters are not only clamouring for reforms, but also for a new generation of leaders to spearhead our country, in the face of mounting cynicism, anger, frustration and exasperation at the incumbent political elites due to their diabolically incompetent governance.
In an incisive and insightful article chronicling the turbulent past year in Malaysian politics, erudite political anthropologist Sophie Lemiere perceptively concludes:
“As the politicking continues and the political culture remains entrenched, recent years have shown that, more than ever, Malaysia’s political scene needs to bid farewell to its titans and allow a new generation to rise.“
(source: Center for Strategic & International Studies)
While a leader may not necessarily shoulder the responsibility of political stewardship for life, he should always be in the service of life.
As Welsh eloquently espouses:
“Public service as opposed to personal servicing needs to be centre stage. Care needs to be taken to show the public that efforts are in their interests, not those of the elites.“
(source: Malaysiakini)
Her astute observation echoes the gold standard of vocational professionalism that is memorialised in the timeless words of the late P. Patto (1947-1995), Malaysia’s very own Exceptional Everyman, and one of our nation’s most distinguished statesmen:
“The choice by the electorates in any election or by-election must be held in high esteem and not treated as a licence to trade one’s position as a Member of Parliament or State Assemblyman for personal gains and clarifications.“
When the time comes for the mantle of leadership to be handed over to the next generation, our future leaders must remember that they owe their leadership to those who have elected them into positions of power and authority.
They must not just promise. They must also deliver.
Our leaders must truly serve their people with vision, drive and commitment.
If we do not ascend to the peak of a mountain, we will not comprehend the highness of the heavens.
If we do not descend to the basin of a valley, we will not countenance the depths of the earth.
If we do not bear witness to the profound words handed down by the ancient wise men, we will not understand the greatness of life.
Leadership is a learning process.
The youth of today have to learn how to be exemplary leaders of tomorrow.
[END OF PART II]
Part I of this article may be found here
DEDICATION:
To Kasthuri Patto (@PattoKasthuri on X): It is my personal opinion that no treatise which comprehensively examines the topic of Malaysian political leadership is complete without a reference to your late father’s uncompromising integrity, indefatigable efforts and indomitable spirit.
His words of wisdom, which I have included in this article (towards the end of Part II), resonate as clearly and unequivocally today as they did 37 years ago, when they were read and heard for the very first time.
May he rest in eternal peace.
myAsylum 