By Karen Bong
MIRI, Feb 26: Succumbing to greed for power has plunged national politics into chaos, observed Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
“You see things are chaotic today. I asked why the mess? Because of greed for power, everyone wants to be prime minister. It is a mess.
“Are the numbers enough (to have majority of confidence to lead the country)… counting here and there… cannot yet, wait for GPS first,” he shared on perhaps his experience after attending several bouts of emergency meetings in Putrajaya following the abrupt collapse of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition on Monday (Feb 24).
Abang Johari highlighted this when addressing the Majlis Amanat Perdana Integrity (Mapi 2020), which was attended by some 2,000 people from various government agencies held at a hotel here today.
He pointed out that it was the greed for power that caused people to be foolish but which in turn thrust Malaysia into political chaos.
“Why have to fight for power? After all, you are there to serve. There is no need to fight one another. If he wants to be the prime minister, let him carry on, we give support.
“(Similarly) If you want me to be the Chief Minister, support only, I will carry out my duties,” he said while emphasising that those given the power must implement it fairly.
As such, Abang Johari reminded that maintaining one’s integrity was critical especially when given the mandate to carry out the responsibilities thrust upon them.
“Even an office boy needs integrity. Don’t shove files from bottom to the top. Community leaders, village chiefs and longhouse chieftains, must have integrity and accountability as well.
“I am saying this as a reminder to myself. We need to remind ourselves constantly about integrity, principles, accountability, transparency that must be upheld,” he added.
Abang Johari also urged all to stay focus and take good care of Sarawak amid the political impasse affecting the federal government.
“We are already trying to deal with Covid-19, that itself is a challenge from God. In the Quran, there were many such lessons like the story of the ‘Army of Elephants’.
“We are blessed and that’s why Sarawak is such a great place, from top to bottom including longhouses and villages, we have people with integrity. And I trust that Sarawak will keep this spirit burning because our focus is to develop the state and people,” he added. —DayakDaily
