Great leaders are colour-blind
Great leaders are colour-blind — Tay Tian Yan
Rugby was viewed as a game for the whites in South Africa. The country’s rugby union team leadership, players and fans were almost all whites.
The rugby pitch had drawn a deep line separating the racial groups.
After the end of the white regime, Mandela became the first black president of South Africa.
To weaken the drive of the whites, the black-dominated South African Sports Committee members voted to restructure the rugby union team and “blackenise” it with the majority advantage.
When Mandela got to know about it, he rushed to the venue and asked for the revocation of the decision or he would not be a leader of the blacks.
Some of the blacks were unreconciled and accused Mandela of changing his stand to support the whites after taking office as president.
Mandela insisted that he could not accept the practice of taking by force with the majority advantage. Otherwise, the racial issue would grow out of control.
Mandela tried his best to help promote the white-dominated team and it eventually won the rugby world cup, as well as the support of most of the people, including the blacks.
There will be no racial difference in the mind of a great leader and he will never use racial differences to gain personal interests.
At the same time, a wise leader will set an example and unite the people with every possibility to shape a national consensus.
Where is the Mandela of Malaysia?
Bapa Kemerdekaan Tunku Abdul Rahman possessed such a mind and courage. If time permitted, he could shine like Mandela.
The anti-colonial sentiment was still high after independence. At that time, the Kuala Lumpur Lake Garden Club was viewed as a legacy of colonialism. Its western style was regarded as a challenge to local customs.
A group of extreme nationalists threatened to burn down the club to wipe up the colonial legacy and highlight the national rejuvenation.
When Tunku got to know about it, he became chairman of the club to protect it with his own status.
Tunku’s practice was condemned by national conservatives, of course. However, his wisdom and courage surpassed the narrow-minded nationalism.
If he adopted the practice of conformity, it could certainly help him to improve his image and status in the group but it would be equivalent to the denial of his faith in the country.
Instead of retaining the colonial spirit, he protected the club to defend the country’s diversity and safeguard its spirit.
Let us remember our Bapa Kemerdekaan and think about the original values of Malaysia with this little story on the 53th Merdeka Day. Perhaps, it would have more far-reaching significance compared to many other rituals and tools. — mysinchew.com
Comments