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I refer to your report Pak Lah: I'm not under Khairy's influence .

When asked about the recent criticism against him, Pak Lah maintains that he has feelings too, is feeling sad but still managing to keep calm. He goes on to add that he does not make decisions to inconvenience others and has made them because he feels that they are the right ones.

Therein in a nutshell is what is wrong with Pak Lah's leadership. Unable to appreciate the enormity of the challenge that he faces, he manages to whimper a sad refrain which will only embolden his critics.

All leaders good or bad are driven by their mission and vision and though their reactions on being criticised will vary, I am sure that 'sadness' will not be in the list. Can you imagine Mahathir, or for that matter George Bush, Tony Blair, Lee Kuan Yew, Saddam Hussein, Mugabe et al, all feeling sad when criticised?

Keeping calm, though admirable as a personal trait, is an option dictated by the prevailing political ascendancy of the leader, and in Pak Lah's case is an inadvertent admission of his own weakness.

As for doing the right thing, he has put an end to some of Mahathir's pet projects. I'm not sure if he means this, for apart from that he has not done much else has he?

By allowing Mahathir to run loose, he is creating an unhealthy situation for the country and himself and this may only hasten his own departure. If that happens, instead of feeling sad for him we should be happy for he is a good man with good intentions but if he cannot ensure his own position, he does not deserve to be there.

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