Leadership and unity are two important elements that bring significant impact on us, Malaysian. They play major roles in promoting peaceful environment to our country. If I may say this, there’s only one thing that will come across my mind when discussing about leadership and unity – Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad. In describing the term leadership and unity, I will separate them into two different categories and will do my best to explain them with appropriate examples. Some of the lines were obtained from different resources. Quotations taken from the resources will be concise with single quotation marks around them.
To begin with, if I can name one person who has had a tremendous impact on me as a leader, that person will definitely be Tun Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad or well-known as Dr. Mahathir. Dr. Mahathir, in one of his public speech, reminded people that unity was the paramount foundation that had spurred Malaysia's development. Without unity and the peaceful co-existence of all races in the country, we cannot progress. He added that no one race can claim its rights 100 per cent. Not the Chinese, not the Malays, Iban, Kadazan, Indian and many more. “In Malaysia, we must accept that we cannot get all our demands. We need to sacrifice our rights so that other races can have a share of it," he said.
Let us think about what Dr. Mahathir said. I am sure if not all, some of us will agree on his statement. Now, the question is, "what is unity?" What is unity stands for? Very often, we hear from our own people who say, “Malaysia is a unite country.” As for me, I believe that there is unity in Malaysia but because unity can’t be defined within strict parameters, we often “see” unity. Why? One learned person said to me – there is no unity in Malaysia, there is only tolerance. Is it true? Come to think of it, there might be some truth (based on my amateur and inexperience observation). Look at certain people talking to the press; they constantly remind us of one’s race and religion. As a unite citizens, why is it very hard for us to practice what we’ve said? Some people even openly object to the term, “Bangsa Malaysia.” How often do we hear the word “muhibbah” nowadays?
I had the opportunity to participate in the Orientation Course for Federal Officers from Sabah, Sarawak and Federal Territory of Labuan, from 2nd until 7th March, 2010, which was organized by the Department of Unity and National Integration. This course was organized to expose participants about the purpose of unity and integration among Malaysian. During the course, many ideas have been expressed on how we can move the country to a higher level of integration. From what I’ve observed, many of prescriptions proposed are simplistic and superficial. Having said that, they do not reflect any in-depth understanding of the issues involved. More serious analyzes are needed to be done.
Standing together with one voice over certain issues can be defined as unity. But I think helping out each other in terms of trouble is also a form of unity. It is the essence that matters, not the outward appearance. It is a very important element in ensuring harmonious relationship among each other.
Unity can only be achieved through more time. With time, we will start to share a common history and only then can we begin to see that being divided only serve to our disadvantage. Apart from that, unity is when all work to achieve and maintain equality. If we work towards equality and maintain, where is the source of motivation and satisfaction. This is a basic human instinct. So, what are the mistakes that we can witness leaders making more frequently than others? In response to this question, I must say it’s definitely the things that evolved around the unity issue. So, leaders, please be extra cautious when dealing with it! All in all, how good and pleasant it is when we, Malaysian, live together in unity!
Now, let us move on to my second explanation about leadership. As mentioned earlier, if I can name one person who has had a tremendous impact on me as a leader, that person will definitely be Tun Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad or well-known as Dr. Mahathir. I had the opportunity to read his autobiography book and I have to admit that it was truly an amazing experience!
As the saying goes, “A truly great book should be read in youth, again in maturity and once more in old age, as a fine building should be seen by morning light, at noon and by moonlight,” I found this book very interesting and it’s my pleasure to share my opinion about the fourth Prime Minister of Malaysia who has played a pivotal role in transforming Malaysia from a country that relied heavily on commodities towards industrialization and modernization.
Before all else, from my own understanding, Tun Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad is truly an international leader who was born (in Malaysia) on December 20, 1925, in Alor Setar, the capital of Kedah Darul Aman. Tun Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad or well known as Dr. Mahathir did his early and secondary education in his home town. In 1947, he gained admission into the King Edward VII College of Medicine in Singapore. Upon graduation, he joined the Malaysian government service as a Medical Officer. He left in 1957 to set up his own practice in Alor Setar.
Dr. Mahathir, being once the longest serving Prime Minister in Malaysia and also in Asia region, played a major role in driving Malaysia’s rapid modernization and its “Look East” policy or in Malay “Dasar Pandang ke Timur.” He is also well known for his strong criticisms and those who viewed Islam as being a religion that promotes violence.
As we all know, prior to Dr. Mahathir becoming Prime Minister, almost no one had ever heard of Malaysia. But by the late nineties the land of our country was pretty well established on the world map. Love him or hate him, our former Prime Minister who was a doctor by profession is something else again. What could that ‘something else’ be? His autobiography is, definitely, just as “something else” again.
Is the book written with expertise, or is it biased? For me, it’s an interesting book, certainly interesting enough to make it an instant bestseller not only in Malaysia, as predicted, but also in neighboring countries such as Singapore and Indonesia. According to this book, it is the story of Malaysia as he sees it. It is also his story. In writing the book, he has been assisted by many people. His wife Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali encouraged him when he despaired over ever finishing it. She made it possible for him to work with peace of mind, organizing his daily schedule to accommodate his writing time. His daughter Marina found a team of journalists and researchers to assist him. They went through his manuscript and re-arranged it, giving him valuable tips.
Dr. Mahathir wrote near the end, “I am grateful to the people of Malaysia whose support had enabled me to lead this, my beloved country, for 22 years. I had tried my best although I cannot be a judge of my own work. It is up to the people of today and the future to pass judgment.” It’s his memoir, and so it’s his day. Let us leave it at that.
He was not always a gracious winner; however, he always gave back as good as he took. Certainly, Dr. Mahathir will always have a place in every Malaysian’s heart, with his enthusiasm and ideas in driving Malaysia forward.
As stated on my first paragraph, I will end it the same way, too. Tun Dr. Mahathir is truly a symbol of leadership and unity.
Stevie Sebol
Sidang B
17 October 2011
RESOURCE:
RESOURCE:
Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohammad (2011). A Doctor in the House : The Memoirs of Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad. Kuala Lumpur : MPH Publishing Sdn. Bhd.
Kagaan, S. S. (1999). Leadership Games : Experiential Learning for Organizational Development. California : Sage Publications, Inc.
Frohman, D. & Howard, R. (2008). Leadership the hard way why leadership can’t be taught and how you can learn it anyway. San Francisco, CA.
Carucci, R. A. & Howard, R. (2006). Leadership divided what emerging leaders need and what you might be missing. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Terry, L. D. (1995). Leadership of public bureaucracies the administrator as conservator . London : SAGE
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