x-factor.

I was in Kajang yesterday with my friend Nazrein. we were there not for satay kajang. but to attend a forum titled: "Krisis Kepimpinan - Mana Silapnya" (translation: Leadership Crisis - What is wrong). It was organised by UMNO Bahagian Hulu Langat. The speakers were Tun Dr Mahathir and Tan Sri Sanusi Junid. so it was no surprise that the hall for the forum was filled to the brim. in fact many had to stand. when Tun M entered the hall, it was pandemonium. shouts of 'Hidup Tun' (translation: Long Live Tun) vibrated throughout the hall. and people rushed forward to shake his hands. it was as if he is still the Prime Minister. This doctor still has the x-factor.

Tan Sri Sanusi spoke first. He said his job that afternoon was to 'warm-up' the audience. Basically he said, here is a man well respected all over the world, and yet condemned in his own country. he related a number of incidences:

one, when he met Prince Saud of Saudi Arabia, he saw that the Prince had many books on Tun M on his bookshelf. The Prince told him that he has very high regards for Tun M.

two, when he was introduced to President Musharaf of Pakistan, the President said to him: " I know you are close to Mahathir. Please advice him not to resign."

three, the Prime Minister of China wanted to appoint him as an advisor to the Chinese Government. Why? so that he would be the bridge between the Chinese Govt and Tun M.

Tan Sri Sanusi went on to talk about what Tun M had done for the country - to instill patriotism, to develop the country etc. and to end his speech, TS Sanusi sang the song 'Warisan' - but with new lyrics. i know this song. when i was in MRSM, we sang 'Warisan' everyday - right after Negaraku. it is a song to remind us of our history. and to remind us about our maruah (dignity) and unity. i have not heard this song for quite sometime. and to hear it again in a forum about the crisis in Malay leadership - very moving. i reproduce here the song for us to contemplate its meaning.

Anak kecil main api,
Terbakar hatinya yang sepi,
Air mata darah bercampur keringat,
Bumi dipijak milik orang

Nenek moyang kaya raya,
Tergadai seluruh harta benda,
Akibat sengketa sesamalah kita,
Cinta lenyap di arus zaman.

Indahnya bumi kita ini,
Warisan berkurun lamanya,
Hasil mengalir ke tangan yang lain,
Peribumi merintih sendiri.

Masa depan sungguh kelam,
Kan lenyap peristiwa semalam,
Tertutuplah hati terkunci mati,
Maruah peribadi dah hilang.

Kini kita cuma tinggal kuasa,
Yang akan menentukan bangsa,
Bersatulah hati, bersama berbakti,
Pulih kembali harga diri.

Kita sudah tiada masa,
Bangunlah dengan gagah perkasa,
Janganlah terlalai teruskan usaha,
Melayu kan gagah di nusantara

By the time for Tun M to speak, the audience was highly charged. Tun M spoke at length on the current state of Malay leadership and unity. He touched on the result of the recent GE with his usual dry humour.

eg: "Not only Kedah is under the opposition, when i want to go back to Alor Star, i have to go thro all opposition states - selangor, perak and pulau pinang."

he reminded UMNO members that if they want to see change, they have to act. and not depend on others to help them. they cannot expect others to act first. they have to act now!

Hate him. or love him. he speaks his mind. and when he speaks, people listen. i did.