LIM GUAN ENG – AN EXAMPLARY CHIEF MINISTER

I can’t help but like to pen a comment on the public apology made by Penang CM Lim Eng Guan over some disparaging remarks concerning Johore, purportedly made by him in Singapore that caused the ire of the Johore Sultan and UMNO in particular. I watched a video of the apology made by Lim Eng Guan and the numerous comments written about it in the mainstream media, including a comment by the Johore Sultan, Perkasa and by PM Najib himself. Lim Eng Guan has said that it was the mainstream media (MSM) that misquoted him and had caused a furor, and he vowed suing the MSM for this.

I think what Lim Eng Guan did was noble, if indeed he had made such disparaging remarks about Johore. Lim Eng Guan has proven himself to be a true gentleman, and with the public apology broadcasted on video in the new media, makes him a respectable and honorable politician. If a similar thing would have happened to a BN politician, I don’t think that politician would want to do what Lim Eng Guan did. I also think that it was disgusting for some politicians to make unworthy comments even after Lim Eng Guan had tendered an apology to the Johore Sultan.

When I was in the military, I had come across a number of my superior officers who would forgive his subordinate for an offence (not serious offence) the moment the offender makes an apology. By doing so, the officers would not only gain greater respect, but the kindness shown is enough to turn the offender into a much better person. I had such an experience once when I was a Commanding Officer of a Battalion. The soldier was supposed to be tried by me for an offence, but the moment he was brought before me, he sought to apologize for the offence he had caused. I quickly closed the case, and told my RSM to release the soldier of all charges. When I returned home for lunch, the soldier came to see me and thank me profusely for not proceeding with the charges against him and was remorseful for all that he did. It was after this incidence that I was told, had changed the soldier who ended up his career as Staff Sergeant. Had I charged him, I think he would not have gone any further in his career and remained a private soldier.

In the case shown by Lim Eng Guan, I believe his exemplary action has caught the hearts of many Malaysians. I am quite sure the people of Pulau Pinang in particular are proud of having a CM that is honorable and a gentleman. I don’t believe there will be another CM who would want to emulate Lim Eng Guan, particularly if it is an UMNO Chief Minister and leaders. There have been examples in the past, and I would not want to go further into this because such examples are in public domain.

And Lim Eng Guan being a Chinese, is an example of what a Malaysian leader should be………..honorable, honest, clean, sincere and most of all, setting good examples.


CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION