Learning From Criticism

Unfair for him to be vilified like this

Sometimes but not all the times I pity our leaders who are being vilified and mocked because of what have happened. Look at what happened to TDM and AAB and remember how the late Tunku too suffered the same when he was trying to speak up against TDM?

It is indeed a very sad occasion to see and experience this as I am also involved in the same but again we must remember this as a learning process. Surely, in our short life there were instances when we were the victims of those action and how hurt we felt. In TDM's case I think he should remember clearly his shortcomings when he was still in power. His decisions were never questioned like when he started the Proton project in 1985 and the reintroduction of English for teaching Mathematics and Science. Indeed, I am not questioning his accomplishments and what he has done for us during his 22 years in office as I once admired him for his deeds and 'charismatic' leadership.

I am not sure about the late Tun Hussein but as far as I remember he never criticised TDM's actions while he was in power, maybe that was also TDM's doings we never know but looking at his style I am pretty sure that it was the case. I remember the first ever national political based newspaper - Watan but it ceased publication shortly afterwards. In fact during his crisis with Anwar, nobody dare to oppose him and how miserable the Prosecutor's case against the former DPM. Long before the correct, correct, correct saga we had the pleasure of listening to the irrelevant judge.

Anyhow, what I am trying to say is we are free to voice out our displeasure in Malaysia at least through the net and the government's pledge not to block such is indeed welcomed and UMNO VP Mahyuddin himself said that freedom of speech should not be curtailed in the party and Zaid Ibrahim echoed his opinion when he said in Dewan Negara recently that we need to admit that we have done something wrong. Indeed, listening to criticism and admitting our shortcomings should be the core of good governance.

Once, only the oppositions were given the license to criticise the government but the people was not accorded with the same but today we should be grateful l that we are free to say or at least write something different from what our leaders are saying. To TDM, you should be ashamed of yourself as during your tenure you ruled with an iron fist just like your colleague in Zimbabwe. No wonder you support him since you too practised the same during your tenure.

I may be naive and green but again being naive or green does not bar me from voicing my opinion and you are free to agree or disagree as I am sure we already agree to disagree in this democratic nation of ours.