Heads Must Fall!

 Heads Must Fall !

M. Bakri Musa

 

The death of a young doctor in Sabah as a result of workplace bullying, the brutal fatal “ragging” at the National Defense University (NDU), and students at a MARA Junior College afflicted with food poisoning. Those grabbed the national headlines, and rightly so. All are but manifestations of a common underlying persistent pathology that has long been ignored. Ignored and thus not remedied. As such, expect more, and worse. 

 

The Agung felt compelled to comment on the death of our would-be warriors at NDU. As for the doctor’s fatal bullying, the Minister of Health is “closely monitoring all findings, accurate facts, and information.” Not to be outdone, Syraf Wajdi Dusuki, MARA Chairman, reduced himself to ketua mandul (foreman) when he visited MARA Junior College in Langkawi. There he was, banging on broken lavatory doors, wiping dirty trays, and hearing the students’ litany of complaints, with the camera rolling as he displayed the appropriate look of disgust.

 

All full of sound and fury, signifying nothing. As for solutions, continuing with Shakespeare, “tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow.” A local wit would put it as NATO–No action, talk only. That does not work with a young man pursuing his girl, and will not for a leader trying to make his administration crisp.  

 

The late Lee Kuan Yew was once asked how he made his team the model of efficiency. His answer? Make the top guy responsible and be answerable. “Heads must fall,” he famously added.

 

Had the director of that hospital where the young bullied doctor been fired, then all the other hospital directors would have taken note and initiated appropriate measures. The successor to the fired chief too would be more diligent in taking care of those under him or her. Little need for the Minister of Health’s press conference, except to announce the firing and naming the successor. 

 

Likewise, the head of NDU or MARA College should have acted decisively and fired the responsible personnel. As that was not done, the Minister of Defense should have fired NDU’s Vice-Chancellor (its chief executive), and MARA Chairman, the headmaster. Even if they were to file grievances or sue, that would not detract from the impact of your message and actions.

 

Syraf Dasuki should have taken a different approach. Have a private meeting with the headmaster and his senior staff following the inspection. Enquire how he, Dasuki, could help. If he were to receive the typical “More money!” response, then scrutinize past expenditures. How much were spent on ornate graduation ceremonies or entertaining visiting VIPs. Explore ideas on fundraising with affluent parents, or reducing costs through eliminating lower grades. 

 

Alas, Malaysian leaders and officers have not demonstrated their eagerness or ability to learn from others.

 

There is a glimmer of hope. The Agung in his previous capacity as the Sultan of Johore is close to the current crop of able post-Lee Kuan Yew Singapore leaders. It is significant that his first “foreign” royal tour was to that Republic. More symbolically, in 2015 at the funeral of Sultan’s son there was a huge contingent of top Singapore officials, reflecting the deep respect those second and third generation leaders had (and still have) for him. 

 

Sultan Ibrahim was a young man and off the royal succession radar screen when Lee was in his prime. As such I doubted whether he had any familiarity with Lee and his crisp management style. However, Lee had written much and had expressed his views on statehood administration in various media, all now readily available. 

 

Even the late Deng Xiaoping, the leader most responsible for transforming China and making young Chinese turn away from endlessly waving their Mao’s Red Book to instead learn science and technology, acknowledged his huge debt of gratitude to Lee. 

 

The Agung would do well to tell his ministers that “heads must fall” if they fail to solve the nation’s myriad intractable problems. That would be more effective than a thousand titah (royal lectures).

 

He also has a powerful tool. The constitution mandates that top federal appointments require royal assent. Have those nominees as well as ministers read Lee’s memoirs and many papers. Then hope some of Lee’s wisdom would trickle down to them. 

 

Regardless, Malaysian leaders and officials, from ministers down to the local police must be held responsible when they and those under them fail to perform.