Future Prime Minister

I am still in a daze that Datuk Seri Idris Jala has been appointed a Minister (without portfolio) in the Prime Minister's Department. He resigned yesterday from his post as MAS CEO and managing director.

I had a wishful thought earlier this year that he would be a Prime Minister one day. I had not met him then or know anything about him except to read about him in the newspapers. The part that struck me about him was his setting a minimum wage for the staff at MAS. He made sure that none of his employees earned less than RM1,000 so to ensure that they would be adequately provided for. Although it would have been ideal if the amount was RM1,500, it was certainly a step of faith for him to increase the salary when MAS was still in the dumps.

I knew then that what he did was an indication that set his heart apart from any other CEOs or leaders.

The other person I had such a wishful thought was former head of Mercy Malaysia Tan Sri Dr Jemilah Mahmood, whom I had personally met.

What’s outstanding about these two personalities was their amazing strength in bringing transformation in society wherever they are. Unlike many people who would rather gripe, complain and criticise, they did what they could in their own capacity to bring about changes to the lives of many around them.

We need top leaders who have a heart for people and not a heart for power and money. This is the change we must strive for and bring down those who had misused power and squandered away our hard earned money.

There are many reasons why I think a good leader must give extra care and attention to the poor and needy in society.

1. The poor and needy is in most part a reflection of failure in political, economic and social systems. A good leader must disband the oppressive systems.

2. It reflects that he/she understood God’s heart and will. (He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honours God – Proverbs 14:31) A large number of oppressed grassroots is a sign of spiritual failure and a rebellion against God’s will for mankind – love God and our neighbour (people) - and the failure is seen in the lack of care for the needs of the downtrodden regardless of race and religion.

3. If the rich and powerful turn a blind eye to the poor and despair and wealth disparity widen to a disgusting level, the increase in crime rate may hit back at them. Our lives are, I am afraid, synergistically linked. What goes around comes around.

For now, it is impossible for Idris and Jemilah to be Prime Ministers due to the prejudicial mindsets of some conservative Malaysians - one because he is not a Muslim and a Malay (although he, being a native, has a rightful claim more than any of the former and current Prime Ministers) and the other because she is not a man. For these reasons, they will surely face many obstacles and objections if they are ever considered for the top leadership post.

However, if Idris or Jemilah is destined to be a Prime Minister one day, it will happen.