Nation Building

Nation-building is a normative concept that means different things to different people. The latest conceptualization is essentially that nation-building programs are those in which dysfunctional or unstable or "failed states" or economies are given assistance in the development of governmental infrastructure, civil society, dispute resolution mechanisms, as well as economic assistance, in order to increase stability. Nation-building generally assumes that someone or something is doing the building intentionally.

But it is important to look at the evolution of theories of nation-building and at the other concepts which it has both supplanted and included. Many people believe that nation-building is evolutionary rather than revolutionary, that is takes a long time and is a social process that cannot be jump-started from outside. The evolution of the Italian city-states into a nation, the German city-states into the Zollverein customs union and later a nation, the multiple languages and cultural groups in France into the nation of France, the development of China from the warring kingdoms, took a very long time, and were the result, not only of political leadership, but of changes in technology and economic processes (the agricultural and then industrial revolutions), as well as communication, culture and civil society, and many other factors.

I will try as best as I can to explore a little, into the general concept of nation building. Malaysia where I was born and reciding in now, will definitely be interesting enough to be dissected.

A leader and a nation

It would probably be wise for any leader to have strong linkages with the major forces of a nation; the financial institutions, arm forces, the police, judicial entity, economic players, NGO’s, and religious groups. There would probably be other important linkages or networkings . Good rapport will ensure smooth reign.

We may want to go even further and mention about linkages that has international bearings.

While a leader may want to gain good rapport in such networkings, he may also want to create new networkings. Then all out effort could be exerted to form new financial institution in your favor with your very own people in as an example.

But there would be tremors and ripples if he opts for this. He has to face it, or die with it, unless he is smart, farsighted and has prepared solid fool proof strategies.

I like to see the present crisis through this perspective, but I sorely miss the good warm ups and tactics. Therefore an assessment has to be made in a real gentleman manner, before air tuak (nira kelapa)changes to the real air tuak and become very sour!

Thanks, and may God bless all of us.

LEADERSHIP

LEADER
..........................Its about PROVIDING leadership, the impact of your own presence, and its about choosing the best option....................

Being a leader is not all about glitters, pomps, kompangs, the ribbons, the smiles, the handshakes, the laughter to whatever jokes you come out with. These are the mundane things, the unnecesary. These are things given to you by your very own people be it sincere or otherwise.

Being a leader is about providing leadership, a clear direction towards goal. Being a leader knows no warm up session. Being a leader isnt like being a little member to the pack. Being a leader is behaving like a hero in front of the team; dribbling, scoring and at the same time providing a solid defence.

In the final analysis, being a leader is assuming all responsbility.

Of course one may use as many team players or advisers. One may also use young people around, but leadership must be given. There is no such thing as total empowerment. If any of our leader subscribe to total empowerment, then it is like admitting that anybody can give a shot at it.

"Kamu buat, kamu jawab". That is so simple that guys like me, pak mat, usop, mid, pin, kiah, timah, leman, can also say. Hmmmm.... and we can also wind up a little toy to say nothing else except "Saya PM, saya boleh buat apa saja, bagi saya masa, Depa Iblis," or simply any phrase at all, stupid or otherwise.

Just a thought.

KUBANG PASU; as it happens

KUALA KRAI, Sept 8 (Bernama) -- Two Umno state liaison committee chairmen have advised Kubang Pasu Umno division members against voting for Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as a delegate at the party general assembly in November. Johor Umno Liaison Committee chairman Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman and his Kelantan counterpart Datuk Seri Annuar Musa concurred that it would not be appropriate for the former prime minister to be seated among the delegates at the general assembly after having held the reins of the party for a long time

Thursday September 14, 2006
Razaleigh surprised that Dr Mahathir lost

JITRA, Sept 9 (Bernama) -- Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad failed in his bid to get elected as a delegate of the Kubang Pasu Umno division to the Umno General Assembly in November.

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 21 (Bernama) -- Umno Thursday denied that the party and its leadership had lately taken action to put former Umno president Dr Mahathir Mohamad to shame as alleged by PAS.Umno information chief Tan Sri Muhammad Muhamad Taib said party president Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had never been involved in any action which paved the way for Dr Mahathir to be put to shame.

HELSINKI, Sept 12 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has described as "very serious" the allegation by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad that bribery was one of the reasons for his failed bid to be elected as a Kubang Pasu Umno delegate

MAHATHIR: the routes

Mahathir set up peace talks
05 October, 2006
No breakthrough as ex-PM helps attempt to ease conflict in South
Former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad quietly helped arrange at least two meetings between Thai officials, including some generals, and Muslim separatist leaders on Malaysia's island of Langkawi, but the talks produced no major breakthrough, rebel and government sources said yesterday.

Umno also welcomes Lee's 'sorry' 04 October, 2006
Kuala Lumpur: Umno welcomed Singapore's founding father Lee Kuan Yew's apology for his recent remarks over the systematic marginalisation of the Chinese in Malaysia, but took him to task for provoking Malaysia's former Premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
Mukhriz Claims Stronger Support For Dr M After Bribery Exposure
PENANG, Oct 4 (Bernama) -- Umno Youth Exco member Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir Wednesday claimed that support for his father, former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, had grown stronger after he exposed political corruption in the Umno Kubang Pasu divisional election on Sept 9.
There's no need for elections, states Abdullah
Borneo Bulletin - Oct 05 11:53 PM
Malaysian premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi ... "no reason to go to the ballot box". AFP KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) - Malaysia's Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on Thursday quashed speculation that he could call a snap election this year, saying he had

Malaysiakini.Oct 4, 2006
NEP 'It will destroy the Malays' .Surprising "end it" call made by retired Guthrie CEO, Khalid Ibrahim. By Bede Hong.