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Sakmongkol ak 47

ariff.sabri@gmail.com

Thursday 24 September 2009

Bagan Pinang. Let us decide the UMNO candidate





The joke going around nowadays is how many letters of the alphabet do the people of Bagan Pinang know? The answer 6! What are they? They are I, S, A, N, J, B. combine any of those letters, you will get, the two recognizable names of ISA or Najib. Isa being the father and Najib being the son.

If the people in Bagan Pinang and especially the UMNO people know only these 6 letters, UMNO is imperiled. It will indeed show the world UMNO hasn't got a talent pool. Its poverty here is caused by mass desertion of talented people disillusioned by UMNO style politics. Your advance in this career is dependent on your status by being who you are. Progress isn't made to depend on what you are capable of doing. Hence the qualifications that matter in UMNO nowadays are who your father or grandfather is. Once those credentials are established, you are assumed to be a chip of the old block. In what turns out to be contumelious logic, you are assumed to inherit only the good genes minus the tainted ones. That's the kind of arrogance and insolence people come to view as the UMNO type.

If Isa Samad wants UMNO to win, he must come out with a declaration that he will support any candidate chosen by the party excluding himself. Yes! he must declare he doesn't want to be considered as candidate so that UMNO is spared from agony. Next he has to say let's give other UMNO division committee members a chance other than his son. For god's sake, Isa has been the MB for 22 years. Isn't that enough already? If you haven't accomplished most of the things you set out to do as MB in those 22 years, what kind of leader are you? Next spare UMNO the agony of treating BP as a personal company by having your son to contest. UMNO people will abandon you if UMNO does this.

UMNO must get out of this mental rut of believing leadership talent is hereditary. Yes I have said that in the worst case scenario, if UMNO rejects Isa, they could choose his son. But only if the son passes a more stringent set of tests. I am entitled to change my mind as I give more serious thoughts about this. I go back to my previous thinking on this subject. It's time for UMNO to break beyond choosing its leaders on the basis of who they are. Let's choose our leaders based on capability of doing.

How do you judge that? How are you going to identify some measures of a person's capabilities of doing something? I know that UMNO leadership has never subscribed to any process of talent spotting, but let's start one. You can't go on in life, expecting willy nilly, by some fortuitous event, some blokes will surface to take over the reins. You need to have a process of grooming and cultivating leadership talent. It is said that Lee Kuan Yew was jolted to look into this aspect of leadership after watching the nearly catastrophic incident on Apollo 13. If the astronauts hadn't the collected presence of mind and coolness, the mission would have failed and the astronauts would have perished. It stirred Lee Kuan Yew's interest to discover the principles by which these few men were selected over the millions and millions of people qualified to become astronauts. How did the Americans identify these few people?

You need besides a desire to be one, some other objective qualities. If you ask around, all the UMNO leaders in Bagan Pinang have the DESIRE to be an ADUN. So, how do you go about selecting among all who have the same desire?

I go back to the assessment principle practised by my old company Shell. You analyze people on the basis of HAIR qualities. Its practicality lies in the fact that it's reduced to assessing 4 qualities. That should be a boon for the UMNO leadership whose attention span is just a few milliseconds!

First there's the helicopter quality- the ability to see the bigger picture. It's the ability to soar above petty considerations and see things in perspective. The bigger picture with a high degree of immediacy is to ensure UMNO the party wins, not the individual. If Isa insists on standing or he forces the Party to choose him, which rules him out as having the helicopter quality. He has none if he could not see past himself or his personal interest. That rules out the son too as the bigger picture is not to continue the legacy of your father. The bigger picture is ensuring UMNO wins.

Next there is the analytical ability and this is basically inferred from the qualifications you have. If you are just FLCE, sorry we have to say you are inferior to a degree holder. There must be some objectivity in our assessment. I have nothing personal against FLCEs. It's just business.

Next, the candidate must have imagination or the creative quality. He can think of some creative ways to shore up loyalty of people to the leadership. By imagination we don't mean the pointless voyage of the mind but purposeful imagination. It's the ability to picture a number of possibilities at the same time.

Then, the candidate must have a sense of reality. This is the ability to match your desires with your capabilities. If you have limitations, you should be realistic enough not to dream the impossible. If you are an FLCE, please don't impose your desire on the party. Just be a class F contractor.

If this person has all these qualities, we can then project his potential. We can actually predict where he will be in 10 years time. If UMNO leaders don't think about these things, they are not thinking actually about UMNO's future. If they don't, we can only conclude, that UMNO has no future.

I have been inundated by calls from friends asking me who I thought will be UMNO's candidate. I don't know, I said. The usual method is to submit a list containing the names of all AJK BAHAGIAN and give them to the KETUA PERHUBUNGAN. Let's face it. Every UMNO dickhead wants to be an ADUN even though you have only an FLCE qualification. (Failed LCE) Next the KETUA PERHUBUNGAN will talk to director of operations and he in turn brings the matter up to the UMNO president. That's how a candidate is chosen.

UMNO needs somebody who is qualified and not tainted. Doing so, they don't have to answer questions relating to qualifications or some past indiscretions. They can concentrate in offering voters what UMNO wants to do with the state and country and their lives. How can UMNO make their lives better?

The latest I hear, UMNO is still sorting things out. The whole thing is in a mess. I too am fed up of the game these UMNO men play. So I decided to have a poll on who we think  should or shouldn't be UMNO's candidate for Bagan Pinang. The poll will run until the 28 because on the 29th September, UMNO will announce the candidate.

There are 3 choices. Isa samad, Najib Tan Sri Isa or anyone but Isa and Najib. Let's send a clear message.

24 comments:

Anonymous,  24 September 2009 at 16:00  

So, which is more important now?

To make 110% absolutely sure of the win or to risk a bit, ie say 67% chance to win and select a complete new person?

A week + ago, it was the former, now its the latter?

What happen to all the 'strategy' vs the 'tactic' stuff?

sunwayopal
http://www.myrealestate.com.my

Anonymous,  24 September 2009 at 16:12  

We are actually waiting to see what sort of dungu UMNO is going to pick, ha, ha! But, this is so overwhelming - in the last 2 days i've discovered blogs by the dignified, kind and good as well educated original Malays, from the good old days (before Mahathirism tarnished) - all the uncles and aunties - from my parents' time. My hope is that Malaysia will revert to the old times of Malaya where we all played, talked, ate, and laughed together at each other's homes any time we feel like visiting. Pao

Anonymous,  24 September 2009 at 16:16  

Dato,

Glad that you finally agree that only untainted ones should be allowed to run.

Just wondering when you would realise that for UMNO to change from its current form would be almost impossible with the current people running the show. The problem is too deep rooted to be changed. Just think of the no. of UMNO Bahagian office bearers who are FLCE and you will understand, not to mention the no. of tainted ones holding office at the Federal level. If you can remove the tainted ones, then the possibility of change is there though remote. Otherwise, mimpi sahaja.

Red Alfa 24 September 2009 at 16:51  

Oh Wow,Dato'

That is one good piece of your mind!

And I had thought you would never - I will always support UMNO right or WRONG!

Please, any support shall be conditional. Only the principled and talented can help transform UMNO, no less. The search for acceptable leaders is critical.

Anonymous,  24 September 2009 at 17:00  

agree..no isa,no son of isa>>surely umno hv mid forties capable leaders
;the second echelon.
or why not give chance to Sothi?

Anonymous,  24 September 2009 at 17:04  

Hjh Rohani..should be the candidate.

Anonymous,  24 September 2009 at 17:14  

Hi AK47,I am Bagan Pinang folks and I am totally agreed with you.The problem with Telok Kemang division in general is that they are scare to change,for me Tan sri Isa is history...he played his chess move wronged from the start.He should know where to stop when he reach certain level.He try to play safe but aim high...too late to change now

Anonymous,  24 September 2009 at 17:42  

If UMNO will choose a candidate base on qualification of himself (not he is who's xxxx) then BN will not lost 5 states to PR in 308. UNMO today is not built in 1 day but 50+ years. The money & relationship have been flood all over in UNMO. To change is, only 1 way, let UMNO down to become opposition then UNMO can be rebuilt.

Anonymous,  24 September 2009 at 19:25  

YB Datuk,
Going by your elaboration, UMNO has no choice but reformed just like the Kuomintang in Taiwan and perhaps LDP in Japan. Only a total defeat in 2013 can tranformed UMNO.
Anon.

Kala Jengking,  24 September 2009 at 20:16  

Your HAIR concept is ok. In order to be an effective leader, you need more than that. You need :
-responsibility
-integrity
-discipline
-humility
-empathy
-magnanimity

Your first write-up is for Isa as candidate, then his son Najib. Now after you have given "serious thought" it is someone else besides the two above. Is your "serious thought" or after thought is after listening to many of your readers disagreement(including the one from TDM)? No?

On the positive side, at least you are listening. That is empathy. To gain empathy for another, we must listen to them with our eyes and hearts, as well as our ears. But most people do not listen with the intent to understand, rather they listen with the intent to reply. They are busy filtering everything through their own perspectives rather than trying to understand another's frame of reference.

On the poll, let me tell you the result. More than half will not agree with Isa or Najib as BN candidate.

Ariff Sabri 24 September 2009 at 20:25  

sorry kala jengking
you misunderstood my essays. i explained in my 3rd essay, the first two were red herrings to test the waters. my 3rd essay, indeed i agreed that Najib Tan Sri Isa would be a more suitable choice if UMNO wants to leverage on Isa's influence and avoid sabotage. this present essay is for the leaders of UMNO to ponder.
now, all the essays are for UMNO to take stock of the signals out there. these are not written in order for me to win/loose arguments-

Anonymous,  24 September 2009 at 20:29  

I say no Isa Samad and No to Najib Isa Samad. Anybody else?

Anonymous,  24 September 2009 at 20:41  

Agree that Dato was challenging his readers to argue their convictions..but Najib/BN does not have the comfort of armchair experts.

BN must win at any cost.A loss will be a sucker punch to the already frail confidence.

BL is not a national platform..the by election pushes BL to the forefront but its roots is very much "local politics"

And ISA understands the pulse of BL and have the right tools to manage the BL temperament.

So,Najib have no choice...forget the ethics,the long term strategies,the move towards youth etc...Najib cannot risk of not having ISA as the candidate.

So,come nomination day..the boy marvel ISA will be there taking the responsibility of delivering BL safely to Najib.

Go ISA.

Suci Dalam Debu 24 September 2009 at 22:40  

Sir,

You are absolutely right about HAIR.

I wonder why you did not mention "MERITOCRACY"?

For a nation to move forward, take a page from LKY (not that mantan GERAKAN chief). You will make many enemies initially but truth will prevail.

Isa and a whole bunch of current UMNO leaders are just glorified contractors and coat hangers hitching a ride on the NEP gravy train.

Don't think there are many clean cadidates in the UMNO mold for Bagan Pinang. Such is the dilemma facing UMNO.

Bangsa Cina Malaysia 24 September 2009 at 23:03  

rustam is still the KM of Melaka so what is the issue here...

i say let MOHD ISA be the candidate....

long live UMNO...

Anonymous,  24 September 2009 at 23:16  

Whats wrong with the BN leaders?
There are actually many choices..untainted and very qualified UMNO members..why is it so difficult to pick one of them?

BP does not belong to Isa Samad.

UMNO must never allow anyone to think hes a warlord of a particular area!

Break this sickening tradition!! And never allow any particular individual to think that without him UMNO is done!
If Isa is such a vengeful person, all the more he must not be chosen as a candidate!

Will he really sabotage an UMNO candidate other than himself or his son???

analyst in green,  25 September 2009 at 00:50  

Dato',

IF we compare the talent pools between PR and UMNO (taking just the Malay talent in PR), UMNO clearly comes off as a big loser in the talent department.

I take it you referenced my viewpoint on "dynastic politics" a few posts back.

Dynastic politics does exist in PR, but to a much smaller extent. In addition, the talent pool has greatly expanded since the last GE. When comparing the formidable PR talent base of Malay intellectuals, firebrand speakers, knowledgeable ulamas and prolific writers - there are only a very small handful indeed in UMNO who can stack up to those.

Anonymous,  25 September 2009 at 09:39  

Maybe you should also run a poll asking why they have voted for Isa.
And the answer will be "To make it easier for PAS to win"

TohkongMosjid,  25 September 2009 at 10:54  

Dato',

Interesting arguments invite though questions.

A question:

1. Chances of B.Pinang UMNO revolt and vote against UMNO if Isa and Isa-related not selected as candidate.

2. Chances of Isa asking UMNO Teluk Kemang to not to vote if he/his son not chosen as candidate.

3. If scenario of 1&2 happens, chances of UMNO losing becomes high. Any difference between 7-1 to 8-1, regardless of whether this is a strong hold or not?

4. If UMNO lose here, why is it consider such a major blast compare to Kuala T'ganu?

5. In your opinion, PR will hope for who to contest? Who will give PR the best shot of winning in B.Pinang?


6. How do you view Zaid Ibrahim's call to UMNO to allow Isa to contest? A smoke-screen, reverse psychology or the real intention?


7. UMNO has to choose between 'being right' or 'being wise' this time. If you are the PM, which value more to you, being right or being wise?


8. What do think of this culture in UMNO::"If I don't get it, kita kalah sama-sama." Do u think the love of the party generally higher than the love of personal gain in UMNO or vice-versa."

Thank you.
Looking forward for you reply.
Love your post and analysis on Bagan Pinang, but I feel you too, feel that UMNO is somehow trapped by its own game and previous mistakes and statements.

CYC,  25 September 2009 at 11:10  

Judging from the comments, only 3 choices left if BN needs to win at all cost:

1. Tun Mahathir
2. Isa Samad
3. Khir Toyo.

After all these candidates could boost up our country's image in many traditionally accepted UMNO's behavioral norms. What are those norms..... ask Datuk Sak and the general public. Its a page long list.

Anonymous,  25 September 2009 at 16:02  

Compare the following situation:

1. Putting a candidate that is so well accepted by the party (chances of winning is good); but if he is not so well accepted by the ordinary people therefore chances are:

a. If he wins, party got the benefit; ordinary people's perception most probably remain the same.

b. If he loses to a better candidate, the stake is high!; ordinary people's perception may turn to worst.

2. If a candidate not so well accepted (chances of winning is low); but public has little or no perception whatsoever.

a. If he wins, party's reputation most probably can return back to normal; peoples will accept the result as it is.

b. If he loses, there is nothing to be ashamed of; and most importantly no backchat.

Andikarya Maya

Greenbottle 25 September 2009 at 17:50  

well i don't know...these days going by most people's perception "untainted umno leader" is actually an oxymoron...

Anonymous,  25 September 2009 at 22:57  

TohkongMosjid said...


"How do you view Zaid Ibrahim's call to UMNO to allow Isa to contest? A smoke-screen, reverse psychology or the real intention?"

This kind of suggestion only exposed part of the negative side of the oppositions ie that is by itself is worst than the oxymoron -- typical of PR's holyarse who is whining with forked tongue.

Antihipokrit

Anonymous,  27 September 2009 at 20:53  

hello,

you have once a "water" boy in a snooker centre now elected as state minister in Sabah. dont think he has a LCE. am told he just signed docs based on the advice of his crony.

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