Exemplary leadership unites, inspires and mobilises the support of the majority to achieve a common good. We saw that in 1955-1957 when Tunku Abdul Rahman mobilised people from all backgrounds for one common good, the independence of Malaya. We saw that in 1969 when Abdul Razak Hussein united Malaysians to heal the scars of the May 13 racial riots.

Most recently, we saw Anwar Ibrahim uniting the opposition parties under one common unified banner, Pakatan Rakyat, to unchain Putrajaya from the ruling government. No one would have imagined that it was feasible to have PAS and DAP sit side by side with one another due to their considerable ideological differences, yet Anwar was the magnet to the opposition’s unity.

He inspired a peaceful rebellion in the hearts and minds of Malaysians to speak up and act in support of his ideals. This led the opposition to win the popular vote in GE13 (53 percent). Unfortunately, with the imprisonment of Anwar, the opposition is fractured, weak and lacks strong leadership.