Leadership and perception

There is a growing perception among many now, not excepting me, that Najib failed to make good the initiative afforded to him immediately upon becoming Prime Minister.


I had hoped for him to be brave and wise in the selection of his cabinet. To prove that he had strength of character, but alas! Even Tun M who is well known for favoring Najib had some negative remarks for the line up.


The drastic changes we had all hoped for Najib to bring about in UMNO and the Govt didn't happen. Many felt so let down. It now seems that all is back, just as usual. I sure do not detect any sense of urgency, though the next General Elections is just a few years away.


Ali Rustam and KJ will be the biggest baggage in terms of proof that UMNO is not serious in dealing with corruption among it's ranks.


It would be wise for Najib to realise that loyalty in politics is ambiguous. The component parties of the BN will remain with the BN so long as it is deemed to have the popular support of the people. And UMNO too will retain the confidence of the BN component parties as long as the former has the majority support of the Malays.


Najib and UMNO must realise, metaphorically speaking, that the BN ship and the UMNO captain will most certainly be abandoned by all if it is headed to be dashed upon the rocks. For who would want to be a member of a losing team or to team up with losers?


Lest we forget, Koh Soo Koon did say that Gerakan would be reviewing it's membership within the BN soon after the fiasco of the last General Elections, and that despite Gerakan's shamelessly dismal performance, losing Penang and all.


For UMNO to continue to have the support of the Malays and for the BN to retain the confidence of its members, Najib must, most of all prove that he is a leader upon whom all Malaysians can put their trust.