I am concern that in the last few days, PM Najib has been uttering statements that smacks of arrogance. I do not know whether he was unaware the consequence of his statement, or that he just could not care what others think about what he has to say. I do not know him personally, but I have always admired him when he was the Defence Minister, and I had the pleasure of meeting him on several occasions.
It was only a fort night ago that I commented on a statement made by PM Najib and as reported in Metro dated January 14, 2011, when he claimed that “the states held (dipinjamkan) by the opposition will end soon” (refer to my article “Words that hurts and being gentle wins hearts” dated 21 January, 2011). I did say at the conclusion of that article that I will not stop being critical of Najib if he continues to make such unwarranted statements.
Now in Star today, PM Najib has warned Malaysians not to do what the Egyptians are doing i.e. using demonstrations in an attempt to usurp power. He further said that he “will not allow it to happen here”.
And what does this warning mean? Will PM Najib use the powers available to him to quell the raise in people power, even to the extent of calling out the military? Does PM Najib not know that throughout the demonstration, the Egyptian military has remained non partisan, and I believe strongly in the neutrality of the Malaysian Armed Forces, should a similar people’s protest occur (God forbid) in this country. I do not know how the Malaysian police will react, but from past experiences the police have developed an expertise in the use of water cannons at the slightest provocation.
If I were the PM, I would have said differently to the press in reference to the protest in Egypt. I would say that “The Egyptian people’s protest is a lesson that we (the government) should take heed and learn from it. The voices of the people should not be ignored. It is the people that have brought the government to power, and it is therefore incumbent upon the government to do all that is necessary to care for the people” or words to the effect. Warning the people is not the right thing to say, and it only shows how paranoid the PM gets at the slightest indication of threat to his position and power.
I now wish to make a plea to the people that encircle the PM, and most of all to his Press Secretary. Please do not allow the PM to continue using provocative words that will incite hatred for the PM. If you think it will enhance the PM’s stature as a tough and no-nonsense leader, then I say you are wrong. Provocative words or language are meant to be said by dictators only, and dictators do not last in this modern day.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION