A healthy fish head for 9MP

"It is fascinating. In the West, you have bigger homes, yet smaller families; you have endless conveniences -- yet you never seem to have any time. You can travel anywhere in the world, yet you don't bother to cross the road to meet your neighbours."

"I don't think people have become more selfish, but their lives have become easier and that has spoilt them. They have less resilience, they expect more, they constantly compare themselves to others and they have too much choice -- which brings no real freedom."

- The Dalai Lama

Can the same also be said of the modern lifestyle of Malaysians?

Over here, our society can be broadly categorized into two distinct groups, irregardless of their ethnic origins or religious beliefs.

The haves and the privileged lot generally behave in a manner not very different from the Westerners described by the Dalai Lama above.

The have-nots are just the opposite. These group of Malaysians live a simpler life, are more neighbourly and couldn't care less with the politics that goes on in this country, because they somehow think that they are powerless. Or could it also be because they are naive folks?

But still, I like to think that historically, it is Malaysians who occupy the lower strata of society who provide the strongest support to the fabric of unity that keeps this country peaceful and prosperous.

It is also this group of people who have continually voted the BN government in since Merdeka because they have been cunningly indoctrinated with the belief that to make any other choice would surely plunge this country into total chaos.

The ones who truly care about national unity are certainly not those who, with bulging pockets and inflated egos, continue to spout racist slogans in Parliament and public gatherings like it's the most fashionable thing to do. Entertaining for a while, yes, but downright crass and uneducated to the cultured mind.

That is why I fail to understand why such BN politicians continue to occupy their seats in Parliament and some, even in the Cabinet. Is the party so short of first-class politicians who can garner votes for the party AND at the same time, behave like rational, educated, true gentlemen? Or is the party so full of monkeys that no one realises that they are making Malaysians a laughing stock by their wild behaviour?

Regardless of how some party members clamour to have such leaders around to voice what is in their hearts, those feelings that they wanted to express but dare not, in the end it does this country no good at all if we continue to have political leaders and community leaders saying and doing things which damage goodwill among Malaysians of different race and religion.

This is the 21st century. This is the age of the internet, the borderless world.

Yesterday, Pak Lah unveiled the 9th Malaysia Plan.

And the Backbenchers Club Chairman Datuk Shahrir Samad has made a succinct remark in The Star today: "Quite happy with the 5 thrusts of the national mission but disappointed that the delivery system was not addressed. What's missing is governance in the public sector."

Yeah - it all boils down to the human factor.

A plan is only as good as the people who are tasked to carry it out. That is why we have seen previous plans not achieving their targets. That is why we are also seeing the many problems grappling this country, all the leakages from all angles.

Remember the famous saying, that the fish rots from the head down?

Perhaps together, Pak Lah and Najib can re-engineer a better Malaysia for all Malaysians if both men start the paradigm shift from the top down.

Pak Lah can never do this alone. Najib has got to give his full support if he wants to inherit a stronger and better Malaysia from Pak Lah.

Nothing is ever going to change in this country if the BN govt continue to deliver rotting fish heads to the people.

Show me first that the fish head is healthy, Pak Lah, and you need have no doubt on where my support and loyalty lies.