A good chief executive worth his salt would have his hand on the pulse of his nation, especially when his country is being overwhelmed by multiple and complex issues which would warrant urgent attention on his part.

The leaders in Europe are facing their financial woes head on; President Barrack Obama is pacing back and forth tirelessly to mend the United States’ recessional problems. One may not agree with their proposals and approaches; but you have to admit one thing - at least they are swimming in the rough waters together with their people.  

And that brings me to our prime minister. Let me be point blank - is he solving our problems with a similar vigour? Does he inspire even one iota of confidence that he is being the leader which this country desperately needs, at a time when multiple fractious issues are jabbing away at Malaysia with unheard off ferocity?

Let’s see now. The Allah issue? Looks like ‘It’s All Quiet on The Putrajaya Front’.

Teoh Beng Hock’s death? Sorry, but that has ‘Gone With The Wind’.

The massive KVMRT project and the various tensions it’s bringing to the fore? Well, as long as it’s ‘Other People’s Money’, it’s ok (perhaps in the tradition of his predecessors).

Perkasa, Utusan Malaysia and the rest of their twins who taunt Malaysia without fear of chastisement? Guess there ought to be no worries, as long as they wear a mask on behalf of Umno’s ‘Dirty Rotten Scoundrels’.

Jais and the DUMC affair? Sorry, but the prime minister was nowhere to be seen. Perhaps he was auditioning for ‘Missing in Action’, and wanted to work at his method acting.

I suppose too, there’s nothing like watching Rooney get red carded to help me turn my face away, while another extremist group plans to hold a Himpun gathering soon that threatens racial and religious harmony.

   

If I recall the prime minister’s response to Bersih 2.0, he was pretty fast off the block in critising the gathering. That’s why to those who are informed and not swayed by our mainstream media’s romance with all things Najib, they have a hard time believing his ‘moderate’ position.

After all, he is the chap who wants to defend Putrajaya with crushed bodies. I really pity the foolish pawns who are willing to be crushed for Umno’s sake, while their biggest warlord got a travel budget that was worth millions for the past three years – wife included.

Mr Prime Minister, here’s to hoping that you would place your hands onto the control board, and not leave it to your image consultants.  

Trust me - missing in action doesn’t make you look cool.