Pic by Abdul HalimThe author of this blog met the top leader of his country!
A leader communicates! Whether to inspire, to direct, to garner support, to get ideas, or simply to inform, a leader must have the highest level of communication skill. Leadership moments are communication moments.
The Top Leader of my country visited and met with fellow citizens in Dubai at a dinner function last Thursday. I was there, and like others I was expecting to hear 'messages' from his honorable Sir. The messages were lost somewhere between his rostrum to my dining table. And looking at faces around the hall, I got the impression that the messages were probably left behind in the suites of Atlantis. *I came to understand from reliable sources later on that the visit and the stay at the super luxury hotel were paid for by the hosting government - so, cool it you guys who worried that the country's pot of gold could have been mortgaged to pay for the trip!*.
The PM's salvation moments came when he walked from table to table after the dinner to greet fellow citizens and to pose for photos with us eager beavers. Anyone dropping in during those moments could be excused for thinking Hana Montana was in town amidst her fans. Even known die hard political critics were seen shaking hands and smiling from ear to ear as they have their pictures taken with the soon to retire PM. He was a very friendly man, our PM. Smiling as always, he gracefully floated from one table to the next and warmly obliging to requests for photos to be taken. Under the chandelier lights of the ShangriLa, I saw a tired looking PM who tried his level best to leave behind a positive impression. Given that his legacies were little known, impression was probably the best he was hoping for. I was enchanted with the beauty, stateswoman like and grace of his wife, Datin Sri Jean. She radiated a kind of motherly confidence and affection which told those who noticed that Paklah would be well looked after , and his injuries from the battle of politics would be ably nursed ~ post his retirement.
For me, that evening was my moments to feel proud being a Malaysian! Away from home I was able to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Prime Minister!
Thank you H E Consul General of Malaysia for hosting and for inviting us Malaysians. Sir, more of such opportunities to meet Leaders from our country please...!
A leader communicates! Whether to inspire, to direct, to garner support, to get ideas, or simply to inform, a leader must have the highest level of communication skill. Leadership moments are communication moments.
The Top Leader of my country visited and met with fellow citizens in Dubai at a dinner function last Thursday. I was there, and like others I was expecting to hear 'messages' from his honorable Sir. The messages were lost somewhere between his rostrum to my dining table. And looking at faces around the hall, I got the impression that the messages were probably left behind in the suites of Atlantis. *I came to understand from reliable sources later on that the visit and the stay at the super luxury hotel were paid for by the hosting government - so, cool it you guys who worried that the country's pot of gold could have been mortgaged to pay for the trip!*.
The PM's salvation moments came when he walked from table to table after the dinner to greet fellow citizens and to pose for photos with us eager beavers. Anyone dropping in during those moments could be excused for thinking Hana Montana was in town amidst her fans. Even known die hard political critics were seen shaking hands and smiling from ear to ear as they have their pictures taken with the soon to retire PM. He was a very friendly man, our PM. Smiling as always, he gracefully floated from one table to the next and warmly obliging to requests for photos to be taken. Under the chandelier lights of the ShangriLa, I saw a tired looking PM who tried his level best to leave behind a positive impression. Given that his legacies were little known, impression was probably the best he was hoping for. I was enchanted with the beauty, stateswoman like and grace of his wife, Datin Sri Jean. She radiated a kind of motherly confidence and affection which told those who noticed that Paklah would be well looked after , and his injuries from the battle of politics would be ably nursed ~ post his retirement.
For me, that evening was my moments to feel proud being a Malaysian! Away from home I was able to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Prime Minister!
Thank you H E Consul General of Malaysia for hosting and for inviting us Malaysians. Sir, more of such opportunities to meet Leaders from our country please...!
PP,
ReplyDeleteWas he there to communicate with fellow Malaysians? He was there for a good time at the people's expense while his second in command is experiencing a humbling defeat not knowing what awaits for him when March comes. Beware the aides of March!
bukan senang dapat jumpa PM kan..
ReplyDeletememang best malam tu. puting aside all political affiliation, we were simply malaysian excited to see the head of our country visiting us who live far away from home.
ReplyDelete"Given that his legacies were little known, impression was probably the best he was hoping for.." i agree. and i enjoy reading your description on the couple, pak lah & datin sri jean. very well written :)
Hello. And Bye.
ReplyDelete