CORRUPT LEADERS CORRUPT THE NATION

Our country has many aspiring political leaders but how many display admirable leadership ideals? Many political leaders seem to severely lack some of the most important leadership qualities, such as integrity and accountability. To many people, the label “politician” has such negative connotations! All is not lost as there are still a few who come close to the leadership ideals and who are good examples of an effective political leader.

For a nation to progress, we need political leaders who through good governance can legitimately assess and determine the distribution of power and resources in ways that can positively impact the well-being of a nation and its people.

A good leader considers the long-term good of a country, above and ahead of any personal short-term gains. Malaysia needs leaders with charisma and integrity, analytical abilities to assess a situation and the ability to make sound decisions. All this must be executed without using tax payers' money to consult others for any purposes and tax payers MUST object if their money is used for such purposes!

Is it a tall order that leaders display ‘statesmanship’ and demonstrate integrity and willingness to stand up for what is right, even if it means resigning a position in government to maintain honor for misdeeds or losing an election? We can only fantasize about such occurrences.

Upright leaders have no problems demonstrating integrity and loyalty to the people they represent, both to the public and to other political leaders. Because of their fine character, they can resist the various temptations and lures of the political arena. Communication and inter-personal skills must be evident to achieve the greatest good for the general population and not that of a party or a segment of the population or their collaborators!

A leader who is not corrupt is willing to listen to the needs of the common people and to represent them faithfully. Courageously, they can stand up and say what needs to be said – rather than just tell the general public what it wants to hear. Fine leaders are willing to make difficult (and possibly unpopular) decisions for the greater good.

Good leaders display a leadership style that focuses building harmony and unity by being fair to all regardless of color, creed or class. Contrastingly, useless and hopeless leaders are like bandits who use manipulation or corruption instead of inspiration and motivation to get what they want.

Corrupt leaders lack the ability to take responsibility for situations or the consequences of their misguided actions. Such leaders prefer to point their dirty fingers at everyone else and would hardly ever accept responsibility for their mistakes, admit their political failures and acknowledge their own contribution to a problem!!!

In any situation, accountability is crucial to effective political leadership, without which followers will have no respect for them. A good political leader is someone who will be honest and responsible for their own actions and decisions and who is willing to admit when they have made a mistake. They will focus their energies and time on representing the people rather than spending all the time “covering their backs” and criticizing or condemning others.

Whilst any leader can exhibit such skills, the effectiveness of his leadership is assessed via public opinion based on how he meets their needs, wants and expectations. He can laud and claim how good he is and how much good he has done for the nation but at the end of the say, it is the people's verdict. Yet, many choose to live in denial and enjoy strutting around in a delusional state because of self-serving tendencies.

Many forget that leaders are not static entities locked within a vacuum. It is a reciprocal relationship. He exists in a leader-and- followers scenario. He can only lead if people allow him to lead and will follow his bidding. If he receives a lot of flak, it is testimony of his failed leadership or statesmanship. However, the truth of this statement depends on the thickness of their facial epidermis for a few ignore reality and continue their charade and nonsensical rants!

Expectations of leadership have not changed over time as many still uphold ideals such as honesty, vision, ability to inspire, and competency. Thus, true and effective leaders are the ones who can meet the people's needs and dreams, not their own.

However, a nation led by corrupt leaders can also become corrupt itself. If high standards of integrity and accountability are not upheld, many will follow that road to destruction by arguing that if a leader can do it, so can they!

Ultimately, we have to realize that a person's perception of a leader’s integrity is also a reflection of their perception of themselves.

If in a nation there exists leaders with no integrity and who are allegedly corrupt and yet can remain in power, it is testimony to the world that the nation practises a system that condones wrongdoing at the highest levels.

In turn, this could reflect poorly as onlookers would regard citizens to be corrupt just because they tolerate dishonest leaders. Tragically, such a scenario reminds us that dishonest corrupt leaders corrupt a nation that could lead to a corrupt populace. A Catch-22 situation emerges when a corrupt populace produce corrupt leaders.

In a democratic country like ours, we have the opportunity to choose leaders who demonstrate ethics and principles that can lead and guide the people to honor, integrity, principles and high moral standards.

The choice is ours. And we had better make THE RIGHT CHOICE and NOT condone any form of corrupt, incapable and insincere leaders for the betterment of our nation!


comments


UMNO is corrupt to the core"!