In business and politics one will be inevitably faced with a situation where there is a need for change. This desire to change is almost always a move from an inferior state to a much more outstanding one. Managing change becomes an important subject of study.
We have seen turnaround of the Malaysia Airlines as one of a more successful change management. Earlier on in Malaysia there was a Shell Malaysia turnaround that has been quoted as exemplary change management in practice.
Likewise in politics, there is a constant need for change. Failure to address this will send a business entity or a political party into oblivion. In the aftermath of the 2004 general election in Malaysia, the writer had the opportunity to meet with and posed a question to Director of PAS Research, Dr. Dzulkefli Ahmad on whether there was a need to “reinvent” PAS having suffered a big electoral loss. He chose “repackaging” as the word to describe the change needed in PAS. Whether one is reinventing or repackaging an entity or product, there is almost always associated with change.
UMNO as political party is heading for destruction. Fifty years of rule with little change if goes by Ibnu Khaldun’s Theory of Social Science is in ripe age of destruction coming from, as the theory goes, internal conflicts as leaders engage in excesses.
Both Malaysiakini and Hrakahdaily carried news of severe internal conflicts that set a platform for final showdown that will lead to destruction. It is now an acknowledged war between the two warring camps, the PM and the defacto PM, both scuttle outwit and “kill” each other.
In this information age, everybody is equipped with tools to formulate strategy of war. Both forces of good and evil are acquainted with and masterly use old age war strategies to defeat the enemy. Both sides of the divide claim to master this Art of War. Little that they realise that, the Moral Cause of waging a war, determines success of war initiatives. If one wages war for the wrong reason one can never win it.
Planning is a key to successful outcome of a war. Understanding one self and the enemy, environments and so on increase chances of winning a war.
While we indulge ourselves in this knowledge of the Art of War, we must never discount the fact that there is a superior being out there watching us. An atheist may dub this Law of the Universe or Mother Nature or simply luck. But for the majority of this world’s population divine intervention can never be ruled out.
When the CEO of Malaysian Airline outline his methodology of change or turnaround for the then ailing airline, he went on to spell very clearly that seeking divine intervention was of paramount importance. Likewise PAS as a political party placed its success on sound moral cause, properly repackaged and they will agree unanimously due to the will of the supreme-being.
UMNO on the other hand clamours for change but lacks the will for change. Leaders scramble to maintain their power and position without regard for the people. They obviously want to cling onto power for the sheer reason of wanting to have access to material reward. The moral cause is a twisted one and as the rule goes its outcome is easily predicted. Sheer disaster and catastrophe to the nation and its people! Most glaring is their conceit and arrogance to claim that it is their (God given) right to govern and total disregard for God’s command to rule justly and honestly.
They plan, God also plan and God is the Best of Planner.
troubadour
Saturday, 18 October 2008
malaysia emulating zimbabwe
BBC World news today (October 18th, 2008) reported that power sharing arrangement discussion between Mugabe’s party and Zimbabwe’s opposition party was underway but the opposition warned that limited power that Mugabe chose to bestow upon the opposition was far too insignificant to spur collaboration or formation of a respectable coalition. This cannot be too far away from what is happening at home-front. Initiative by the biggest BN coalition party UMNO in courting Islamist’s party PAS was a testimony of similar route taken by Mugabe’s party. In the absence of Mahathir on Malaysia’s political front, Mugabe has improvised lessons learned from his one time idol.
Enter round two of the Malaysia’s political mayhem! We would most likely be seeing Malaysia’s shrewd politician back in limelight. His disciple, Najib Razak’s likely ascension to the coveted PM position in Malaysia would see his skewed policy being shoved back to Malaysia public. His old age was perhaps his only setback. He might be receiving his Lord’s call before he could inflict more injury to Malaysian public. However, even with this divine intervention also if it were to happen, nothing could stop his twisted policy to be jostled into Malaysian public’s domain. Najib Razak, a defective clone of Mahathir would see to it that Malaysia would sink to her lowest ebb and be anointed as the leader of the third and lost and forgotten backward world.
If Mugabe’s trail was an indication of what was in store in Malaysia, we would still be seeing a scheme devised by BN core party to court the Islamist’s party be resurrected and gather momentum. Continuous assault on government’s opponents be it members of opposition or general public was evidence of UMNO’s move towards convincing people especially the Malays ethnic that they were loosing political control and becoming increasingly marginalised in their own country and subsequently push Islamist’s party to a corner and relent. As the ruling coalition was increasingly becoming more and more unpopular, this power sharing conduit was the only viable alternative at maintaining grip on the nation’s power and hence opportunity to ransack her wealth.
Zimbabwe’s ethnic makeup was far more complex and hence Mugabe’s mastery manoeuvres. There was a distinction between what we saw in Zimbabwe and what was happening in our home turf. Majority in Zimbabwe hailed this move as a way forward toward unifying the more than 40 ethnic groups whilst in Malaysia majority informed public riled this move as it lacked conscience and full of deceit. Furthermore, the fact that the proposal and subsequent coercion surfaced when government’s reputation was at its lowest point was a clear indication of Malaysian government’s dirty clandestine and ulterior motives.
While the world was embracing democracy, Malaysia hailed dictatorship, repackaged as “guided democracy”. The nightmare was about to begin.
troubadour
Enter round two of the Malaysia’s political mayhem! We would most likely be seeing Malaysia’s shrewd politician back in limelight. His disciple, Najib Razak’s likely ascension to the coveted PM position in Malaysia would see his skewed policy being shoved back to Malaysia public. His old age was perhaps his only setback. He might be receiving his Lord’s call before he could inflict more injury to Malaysian public. However, even with this divine intervention also if it were to happen, nothing could stop his twisted policy to be jostled into Malaysian public’s domain. Najib Razak, a defective clone of Mahathir would see to it that Malaysia would sink to her lowest ebb and be anointed as the leader of the third and lost and forgotten backward world.
If Mugabe’s trail was an indication of what was in store in Malaysia, we would still be seeing a scheme devised by BN core party to court the Islamist’s party be resurrected and gather momentum. Continuous assault on government’s opponents be it members of opposition or general public was evidence of UMNO’s move towards convincing people especially the Malays ethnic that they were loosing political control and becoming increasingly marginalised in their own country and subsequently push Islamist’s party to a corner and relent. As the ruling coalition was increasingly becoming more and more unpopular, this power sharing conduit was the only viable alternative at maintaining grip on the nation’s power and hence opportunity to ransack her wealth.
Zimbabwe’s ethnic makeup was far more complex and hence Mugabe’s mastery manoeuvres. There was a distinction between what we saw in Zimbabwe and what was happening in our home turf. Majority in Zimbabwe hailed this move as a way forward toward unifying the more than 40 ethnic groups whilst in Malaysia majority informed public riled this move as it lacked conscience and full of deceit. Furthermore, the fact that the proposal and subsequent coercion surfaced when government’s reputation was at its lowest point was a clear indication of Malaysian government’s dirty clandestine and ulterior motives.
While the world was embracing democracy, Malaysia hailed dictatorship, repackaged as “guided democracy”. The nightmare was about to begin.
troubadour
Tuesday, 14 October 2008
plundering the nation’s wealth while championing a reform?
Quote: “Without reforms truth is obscured and sentiment and innuendo reign supreme”, unquote. Yes, it was the famous SIL aka KJ quotation that appeared in the Star some time back. Funny that this comes from a person mired in controversy and whose hands are reaching into the nation’s coffer while basking under the sun wallowing in sheer pleasure in a party that resist all attempt at changing for the better.
Change or face people’s wrath! This is also their battle cry now. But they are the ones that prove to be the biggest boulders that block reforms.
How does a person institute change? How do we make sure that whatever changes that we want to do will be successful i.e. if we manage to “reform”. This is essentially managing change, or change management. Due to a need for any organisation to continue to change or face extinction, the subject has been a focus of many management gurus. The most influential and sought after change expert is John P Kotter.
Change involves people and their emotions, uncertainties and inconsistencies and therefore is very complex. A successful change or a reform requires LEADERSHIP and a bloody good one. Without the right leadership you can expect empty mantras and prevailing old school of thoughts instead of a rejuvenated entity. Kotter laid down almost foolproof steps towards leading a change. There is simply no shortcut and it is a science as much as it is an art.
Do you seriously think that UMNO can reform giving their current state of denial? I for one do not believe that it is possible. I have these words that I said time and again to my people that “If you are limping and people also point that out to you and if you think otherwise, you would continue to walk with a limp!” That is the classic form of denial.
Sad to say that there are those (disillusioned) lot that believe UMNO should and must reform. These are the minority though. Majority of those in power simply profess change but it is just a ploy to camouflage their act of robbing the nation of its fortune.
Change or face people’s wrath! This is also their battle cry now. But they are the ones that prove to be the biggest boulders that block reforms.
How does a person institute change? How do we make sure that whatever changes that we want to do will be successful i.e. if we manage to “reform”. This is essentially managing change, or change management. Due to a need for any organisation to continue to change or face extinction, the subject has been a focus of many management gurus. The most influential and sought after change expert is John P Kotter.
Change involves people and their emotions, uncertainties and inconsistencies and therefore is very complex. A successful change or a reform requires LEADERSHIP and a bloody good one. Without the right leadership you can expect empty mantras and prevailing old school of thoughts instead of a rejuvenated entity. Kotter laid down almost foolproof steps towards leading a change. There is simply no shortcut and it is a science as much as it is an art.
Do you seriously think that UMNO can reform giving their current state of denial? I for one do not believe that it is possible. I have these words that I said time and again to my people that “If you are limping and people also point that out to you and if you think otherwise, you would continue to walk with a limp!” That is the classic form of denial.
Sad to say that there are those (disillusioned) lot that believe UMNO should and must reform. These are the minority though. Majority of those in power simply profess change but it is just a ploy to camouflage their act of robbing the nation of its fortune.
Monday, 13 October 2008
catch it when it falls – opposition’s delaying of no confidence vote: malaysiakini
It seems that the much anticipated move towards a no-confidence-vote against the PM and the BN government did not happen on Monday, October 13th. The opposition leader instead chose to engage on a debate on the budget and called for fresh new budget to be tabled by the government.
It is also interesting to note that the DPM chose to be absent from the sitting, preferring to frustrate the opposition and hiding behind tactical-ploy claim. The BN government is still mired in self denial and serious internal injury. Whatever the strategy that they employ, the people are simply not amused. They have lost the moral right to govern the moment they chose to ignore the sorry state of the country and the people.
With the decision on the date for the change of guard, outgoing PM is scrambling to ensure that his people are able to complete their projects and get paid for. They fear being robbed off their bounty. The incoming PM is putting his blockades all over the place to ensure that their supporters get their hands on the nation’s coffer. Even a small project value of which is as meagre as RM0.5 Million is being blocked, scrutinised and divided amongst their own kind, very much like a bunch of (40) thieves of the Arabian Nights. The country is in DOUBLE AUTO-PILOT MODE as both the pilot and the co-pilot chose to go about their own personal gains.
In a country where there is a solid economics foundation, politicians’ antics may not affect the country a bit but in a country like Malaysia now politicians’ frolicking courts disaster. In a world with no border, the impact is a hell lot more and the time it takes to recover is a lot longer.
Thailand’s economic fundamentals are strong unlike Malaysia. Thailand’s political turmoil has little impact to their economy. Democracy is ripe and alive in Thailand. Civil servants are free display their political inclination. Even government departments proudly choose faction they want to support. Government hospital in Bangkok was seen last week to express their resentment towards the government and the police by proudly proclaiming on a huge banner that they would not treat injured from government and police ranks. Such a display of hatred for the government, if happen in Malaysia, would incur the wrath of the ruling party and subsequent dismissal of the head of department and a host of other innocent souls.
With its economy on the brink of collapse, Malaysia cannot afford to prolong this political mayhem. Continued mishandling of the economy and the people will reduce Malaysia to the like of Zimbabwe and a host of other sordid third world countries.
Enter a new era where freedom of speech is upheld and injustice abhorred. This new era is about to begin. People’s hatred towards whatever initiative taken by the government has reached a maximum and tolerance level is almost at zero level. For satisfaction sake perhaps the opposition is lingering on this cloud nine level and wait in sheer pleasure and patience and contentment; waiting to just catch it when it falls. And fall it will.
troubadour
It is also interesting to note that the DPM chose to be absent from the sitting, preferring to frustrate the opposition and hiding behind tactical-ploy claim. The BN government is still mired in self denial and serious internal injury. Whatever the strategy that they employ, the people are simply not amused. They have lost the moral right to govern the moment they chose to ignore the sorry state of the country and the people.
With the decision on the date for the change of guard, outgoing PM is scrambling to ensure that his people are able to complete their projects and get paid for. They fear being robbed off their bounty. The incoming PM is putting his blockades all over the place to ensure that their supporters get their hands on the nation’s coffer. Even a small project value of which is as meagre as RM0.5 Million is being blocked, scrutinised and divided amongst their own kind, very much like a bunch of (40) thieves of the Arabian Nights. The country is in DOUBLE AUTO-PILOT MODE as both the pilot and the co-pilot chose to go about their own personal gains.
In a country where there is a solid economics foundation, politicians’ antics may not affect the country a bit but in a country like Malaysia now politicians’ frolicking courts disaster. In a world with no border, the impact is a hell lot more and the time it takes to recover is a lot longer.
Thailand’s economic fundamentals are strong unlike Malaysia. Thailand’s political turmoil has little impact to their economy. Democracy is ripe and alive in Thailand. Civil servants are free display their political inclination. Even government departments proudly choose faction they want to support. Government hospital in Bangkok was seen last week to express their resentment towards the government and the police by proudly proclaiming on a huge banner that they would not treat injured from government and police ranks. Such a display of hatred for the government, if happen in Malaysia, would incur the wrath of the ruling party and subsequent dismissal of the head of department and a host of other innocent souls.
With its economy on the brink of collapse, Malaysia cannot afford to prolong this political mayhem. Continued mishandling of the economy and the people will reduce Malaysia to the like of Zimbabwe and a host of other sordid third world countries.
Enter a new era where freedom of speech is upheld and injustice abhorred. This new era is about to begin. People’s hatred towards whatever initiative taken by the government has reached a maximum and tolerance level is almost at zero level. For satisfaction sake perhaps the opposition is lingering on this cloud nine level and wait in sheer pleasure and patience and contentment; waiting to just catch it when it falls. And fall it will.
troubadour
economist my ass
I wonder why there is still a reference being made of the DPM Najib as “the so and so ECONOMIST”? Hell. If he graduated at all from Nottingham University and having entered politics at the age of 22 years and remain a politician to this date qualifies him as “the economist”! Bollocks! What does he know about economics! Putting money in his own coffer for almost 30 years now and spend some come election time (within his beleaguered party UMNO or the general elections) must have taught him real economics I presume. No wonder the country is in such a mess save some insignificant sectors.
I believe some “pen-for-hire” journalists must have done really good work. Subsequent commentators swallow the lies, repeat them and now lies are taken as truths. Going by the same methodology, I must have been a bloody good engineer having graduated at the same ripe age as the DPM was, and the fact that I cannot even to this date understand “limits and fits” of the engineering feat! What a load of rubbish we have become.
Of course he speaks so well at international conferences, answers questions like a pro, on issues ranging from social degradation to international monetary fund. He is but an actor. Scripts are written by some other men behind the scenes, swallowed; chewed and minced and spit out at the right speed and sequence. Mr. Bean could do exactly just the same or perhaps better. No doubt he read some books but to call him an economist is a disgrace to the likes of MIER president and Rafidah Aziz. Rafidah taught economics in UM at one time. Even then she is never referred to as an economist.
Ok, he did run the state at one time. Also the ministry of defence! But he IS NOT A BLOODY ECONOMIST. He is just a bloody POLITICIAN, big ego little brain and desire as huge as the EVEREST. Incidentally, is Everest in Monggolia or is it in Timbuktu or are these two places in Monggolia. Well, I am not into geography. I am just an engineer much similar to Najib as an economist.
I believe some “pen-for-hire” journalists must have done really good work. Subsequent commentators swallow the lies, repeat them and now lies are taken as truths. Going by the same methodology, I must have been a bloody good engineer having graduated at the same ripe age as the DPM was, and the fact that I cannot even to this date understand “limits and fits” of the engineering feat! What a load of rubbish we have become.
Of course he speaks so well at international conferences, answers questions like a pro, on issues ranging from social degradation to international monetary fund. He is but an actor. Scripts are written by some other men behind the scenes, swallowed; chewed and minced and spit out at the right speed and sequence. Mr. Bean could do exactly just the same or perhaps better. No doubt he read some books but to call him an economist is a disgrace to the likes of MIER president and Rafidah Aziz. Rafidah taught economics in UM at one time. Even then she is never referred to as an economist.
Ok, he did run the state at one time. Also the ministry of defence! But he IS NOT A BLOODY ECONOMIST. He is just a bloody POLITICIAN, big ego little brain and desire as huge as the EVEREST. Incidentally, is Everest in Monggolia or is it in Timbuktu or are these two places in Monggolia. Well, I am not into geography. I am just an engineer much similar to Najib as an economist.
Thursday, 9 October 2008
kudos PR government
A close personal friend narrated to me his experience with both UMNO/BN government & the PR state government on his plight for some assistance. This is a heartwrending piece from him as I encouraged him to pen it down to be shared with all of us. This is to demonstrate how ARROGANT the UMNO/BN government is and HOW CARING the PR government is. The PR government has indeed come out of the parochial and racial politics and demonstrated its capability to be a truly magnificent and caring government (at least at state level for now).
I salute those DAP, PKR and PAS people that came out all the way to help this man. If they continue to WALK THE TALK, it will not be long before we will see the rise of a truly deserving government of the day. Those DAP leaders and members in Cheras area have shown their unselfish and clour-blind attitude in helping, the very least emotionally, the man to continue to struggle to get out of relative poverty. I take my hat off to those PAS and PKR leaders that demonstrated their sincerity in helping this unfortunate man.
Please read the piece at www.wandering-troubadour-attachment.blogspot.com, written by a man I knew very well but request anonymity. This is just one story out of numerous incidents that I personally heard. Who says Malaysian are racists? Do not let the myopic minority be made example of the far-sighted and good-hearted Malaysians.
troubadour
I salute those DAP, PKR and PAS people that came out all the way to help this man. If they continue to WALK THE TALK, it will not be long before we will see the rise of a truly deserving government of the day. Those DAP leaders and members in Cheras area have shown their unselfish and clour-blind attitude in helping, the very least emotionally, the man to continue to struggle to get out of relative poverty. I take my hat off to those PAS and PKR leaders that demonstrated their sincerity in helping this unfortunate man.
Please read the piece at www.wandering-troubadour-attachment.blogspot.com, written by a man I knew very well but request anonymity. This is just one story out of numerous incidents that I personally heard. Who says Malaysian are racists? Do not let the myopic minority be made example of the far-sighted and good-hearted Malaysians.
troubadour
Wednesday, 8 October 2008
malaysiakini: mixed reaction on pm’s decision (love and hate relationship!)
A comment by the Penang Watch coordinator can be taken as a good summary of Badawi’s term as the 5th Prime Minister of Malaysia. BK Ong said that the PM’s departure is unceremonious and due to internal pressure (since external pressure rarely make any dent at all), will be remembered as a PM that allowed more democratic space and the part I like most and believe so is that “for the first time, the country has a prime minister who did not deliver any race-based speeches” (as I believe, his Malay-Chinese parentage and upbringing has some influence on this stance).
His (BK Ong's) concluding remarks (fear) is his and the general public’s perception that will become reality. There will be tremendous set back to democratisation efforts the PM had initiated and would allow his successor to resort to repressive laws and high-handed tactics to halt political opponents.
Welcome to your worst nightmare! God forbid!
There must have been something sinister delivered to the PM by Najib that prompted the old man to switch his stand almost instantaneously after their private talk immediately after the supreme council meeting. The blow was fatal.
As much as we feel rather helpless in this situation, there is a ray of hope that the PM would fight on to make sure that Najib bites the dust. In the word of famous quotes delivered frequently in UMNO, “It is not that I love Pak Lah so much but I hate Najib a hell lot more!”
His (BK Ong's) concluding remarks (fear) is his and the general public’s perception that will become reality. There will be tremendous set back to democratisation efforts the PM had initiated and would allow his successor to resort to repressive laws and high-handed tactics to halt political opponents.
Welcome to your worst nightmare! God forbid!
There must have been something sinister delivered to the PM by Najib that prompted the old man to switch his stand almost instantaneously after their private talk immediately after the supreme council meeting. The blow was fatal.
As much as we feel rather helpless in this situation, there is a ray of hope that the PM would fight on to make sure that Najib bites the dust. In the word of famous quotes delivered frequently in UMNO, “It is not that I love Pak Lah so much but I hate Najib a hell lot more!”
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