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Can the Bugis Warrior survive deeper undertows?

The ‘Bugis Warrior’ prime minister of Malaysia has chosen loyalists over smart people to be his new oarsmen. Will his battle ship continue to fare the high seas and survive the under currents within Umno, MCA, MIC and the opposition bloc and if so for how long?

Before the newly-minted communications and multimedia minister hollers ‘biadap’ and the newly-minted deputy prime minister throws his fist for calling his boss ‘Bugis Warrior’, Mr Honourable Prime Minister of Malaysia, Najib Abdul Razak, you are assured that there is no disrespect alluded here by naming you as ‘Bugis Warrior’. It was a term you yourself used to drive home the point that your enemies will not destroy you.

The prime minister, just days after the shocking announcement of his new line-up of cabinet members that also saw the unceremonious sacking of veteran Umno leaders, has publicly declared that he prefers “loyalists to smart” people in his cabinet.

That, for starters, is an insult to the newly-minted cabinet members. It implies that you are a bunch of not so smart individuals after all. Now, how will you defend that, is left to be seen.

Next, overwhelmed by a sea of some 50,000 crowd in Malacca the prime minister announces on the spot a whopping multi-million ringgit allocation to help develop Malacca. He will table this decision to his new cabinet and they being loyalists to the letter will not object.

Here again the Bugis warrior has set a precedent with a deep seated message. If you support me and stay by me, I will give you all the help and money you need. Otherwise... probably the same that fell on Muhyiddin Yassin and others will be our fate, or worse?

Meanwhile the deputy prime minister in demonstrating his sense of loyalty to his Bugis warrior captain, has upped the notch in threatening the media. There will be no more warnings. Just action, if they are not loyal in their reporting, presumably.

And if that is not enough another of the Bugis war ship’s oarsmen has threatened that the social media will be whipped to ensure the safety and security for the country.

Wonder how that is going to happen when even Communist China is finding it almost impossible to lid the social media.

Incentive or inducement?

Of course, not be left out from being seen as absolute loyalists to the Bugis Warrior, another gurkha announces a RM10.00 reward (or is it an incentive or inducement?) to those registering in the Federal Territories as new Umno members.

For a mere ten ringgit would there be people willing to trade their soul to display loyalty? If there are - and in significant numbers, then God bless Malaysia.

And then there was another who in order not to overlooked by the Bugis Warrior, screamed that Umno does not need the BN partners and can sail the seas better without MCA, Gerakan and MIC.

Indeed, while the cradle of Umno (Johor) weeps, others are clamouring to sail with the Bugis Warrior with loud, deafening pledges of loyalty. After all, as the Bugis Warrior captain qualified, being smart and savvy or brilliant in mind and character is not a priority for the prime minister.

But perhaps we need to better understand loyalty. Loyalty is not about being stupid or smart. Loyalty is about trust. The cornerstone of trust is ethics. A leader - as poignantly stated by the Johor Crown Prince, builds leaders and not create more followers.

Hence, loyalty is garnered by winning the trust of the people and taking pains to head-hunt smart people who have the credibility and track record to build on the much needed trust that the Bugis Warrior is battling for.

Laws, threats, promotions, monetary rewards and protection cannot help any ship to sail safe for long.

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