When Abdullah Badawi replaces Mahathir Mohamad as the fifth Prime Minister of Malaysia in 2003 there were many high hopes on him to perform and govern the country to a greater heights. Many have good words for him as the Mr. Nice Guy who ascended the highest political office of the country with a remarkable and untainted records.
The expectations were indeed sky high which Abdullah is expected to deliver during his term of office. The result of the 2004 general election when BN secures 92% of the parliamentary seats was an endorsement of his premiership. After 22 years under the strong willed control of Mahathir administration, the rakyat expected a change towards a more open and freer society.
While many exhibits their confidence for the new PM that period of time, there is also some who are keeping their fingers crossed. I was one of them. Only time will prove whether a person will deliver whatever he promises and fulfilled the needs of the people. Especially for those who live the life of a politician where there is no permanent friends or foes. For some promises is not always equivalent to commitment, dignity and honour. Whatever happens in the past may not guarantee the future political direction of the person will be the same.
Abdullah promises a lot and now he is left with only less than six months to deliver them before he calls it a day and retires as PM. Whether he can fulfilled all his promises within this short period is indeed a huge question since he had 5 years to do it but met with many stumbling block especially from his own Umno people. The results of the 2008 general election provides the drawing on the board that Abdullah and BN fails to understand the happening on the ground. Their supporters deserted them in droves. Maybe they were still enjoying the extended 2004 honeymoon. Some still dreamt of being in honeymoon and having the denial syndrome. When will they wake up? Maybe next general election when they won't be having their bed to lie on to dream anymore!
Knowing that he won't be Umno president and PM by March 2009, akin to a lame duck PM, what makes Abdullah thinks that he can overcome all those obstacles in the next six months to fulfil his promises and leave a legacy in Malaysian history?
No doubt about it, Abdullah premiership did brought change in the democratic process especially in comparison to previous PMs. The rise of NGOs and community groups in voicing their comments on the state of the nation and seeking justice and equality for the people which is unseen of during the previous Mahathir's adminstration shows that Abdullah initailly governed the country with a big ear approach . He listens.
We can't say that he did not try. The question is whether did he tried hard enough? He listens but did he courageously take actions after he heard the voices of unhappiness from the people. Later during the sunset of his premiership, he still listens but to those who asked him to used the big stick. How is his performance in managing not only the country but also his own people especially in Umno and his close associates and relatives? History will be the witness to his legacy. Will he utilised the last six months as PM to leave a legacy for the many generations to come or it will be something else?
I am not superstitious, but as usual I will keep my fingers crossed. For the outgoing PM Abdullah and also the incoming PM, whoever he is. - Loka
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