I have always maintained that one of the most enduring legacies of Dr Mahathir Mohamad would be to leave us with a leadership succession that would be unable to carry the day.

The recent debacle surrounding the National Service programme has forced Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak to step out of his comfort zone and address a very important issue that concerns the people.

To defend the indefensible is not the job for ordinary laymen like us, but the bread and butter of a politician, especially one who aspires to be our next prime minister.

His fumbling ways should be of concern to all of us. Instead of addressing our fears and cooling frayed tempers, he had the temerity to suggest that screening of NS trainers need not be done as they are ex-servicemen anyway and who knows what deep and dark desires one had anyway.

Thank you, Najib. I feel so much better now.

Najib has so far played it safe and kept his forays into the public spotlight to a minimum, and only when on safe ground.

He had better shed his lackadaisical and flippant approach if he wants to improve his emerging, faltering image.