A class above the rest
His performance over the past few years has been outstanding. Other than having the guts to hit out at people like Mahathir and Ibrahim Ali, he has also attempted to communicate amiably with Pakatan leaders, attended dialogues with NGOs, and defended government policies in public in a much more civilised language.
By Tay Tian Yan, Translated by DOMINIC LOH
Sin Chew Daily
Nazri has won the respect of many a Malaysian.
His letter to Utusan Malaysia’s Awang Selamat has been one that really makes waves.
And is particularly useful when tackling the dirty acts of racist politicians.
There are at least three important points which I believe should serve as valuable teaching materials for 1Malaysia, and be widely promoted in the government as well as Umno as guidelines for policy-making and governance.
1. We do not need to submit ourselves to the incensed remarks propagated by Dr Mahathir and Ibrahim Ali.
2. In a democratic country, opposition reps should be treated in a civilised manner. Like the representatives from the ruling coalition, they are also elected by the voters.
3. We must recognise the multicultural political reality of Malaysia, and BN must garner enough support from all communities to continue ruling this country.
Both Ibrahim Ali and Awang Selamat would never treat these facts with respect, for they are lurking behind their nests of racism, failing to see the real Malaysia.
I am particularly impressed by what Nazri said, “I am first a Malaysia, then a Malay.”
Few in Umno have the courage to make such open declaration. Nazri has obviously transcended his party.
His performance over the past few years has been outstanding. Other than having the guts to hit out at people like Mahathir and Ibrahim Ali, he has also attempted to communicate amiably with Pakatan leaders, attended dialogues with NGOs, and defended government policies in public in a much more civilised language.
Some say he is an individualist or egoist, which I do not quite agree. Even if he is, it is not a bad thing after all!
In an increasingly rigid government institution, it is better for any individual to have the energy to seek a meaningful breakthrough than get buried under the weight of a lifeless organisation.
At a time when political awareness is fast rising and information spreads at the speed of light, our political leaders cannot afford to remain passive and live in their comfortable but narrow worlds.
What sets Nazri apart from other politicians is his ability to see the changes taking place in Malaysia’s political ecosystem, the people’s mentality as well as the future directions of the nation.
And he knows where the key of election lies. Once politicians or political parties get dislodged from the social consensus, they will lose the election and the legitimacy to rule.
Nazri doesn’t have any great philosophies, but he is well aware of the country’s political reality, and is taking the pragmatic approach.
This is something many of our government leaders, especially those of ministerial levels, are pathetically lacking.
Most of our ministers would rather choose to hide behind their comfort zones, doing nothing, saying nothing or doing only what they think is safe.
With most our ministers thinking this way, what else can we expect from the ruling coalition or the government?
If BN wants to remain relevant in this country, it needs people like Nazri.
