It has been over a month since that watershed day in our history when voters vented their frustration against the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition and handed the opposition Barisan Rakyat (now Pakatan Rakyat) alliance its biggest victory in history. Political analysts have expressed doubt that Malaysia could ever see a repeat of this 12th general election.
Prior to polling day, for two dizzying weeks of campaigning period, Malaysians from all walks of life and ages thronged the many ceramahs (public talks) to listen to the candidates’ persuasions. The ceramahs by the opposition alliance of DAP, PKR and PAS were particularly popular, and many elderly folks among the multitudes commented that they had never in their long life experienced such an emotionally-charged election.
The opposition’s mantra of denying BN a two-third majority in parliament was religiously chanted everywhere. Yet, few actually believed it was achievable. As an example, five Malaysiakini journalists vowed to shave their heads bald if it happened. As the results started pouring in, they began to make appointments with their barbers.
On March 8, Malaysian voters yielded to the opposition’s mantra. More than that, they presented the opposition five states, of which three (Penang, Perak and Selangor) are considered golden geese. In doing that, they pounded Umno and trounced its partners - MCA, MIC and Gerakan.
Everyone has a roll of reasons for the grand defeat - from the keris to Khairy, the Lingam video to Pak Lah’s leadership. Other well-worn reasons bandied about are:
- Corrupt government leaders who milked the country’s coffers;
- Inflation that has burdened the masses;
- The grave crime situation;
- The disdainful, supercilious, racist Umno leaders who gleefully hurled inflammatory remarks at the other races;
- The sexist Umno leaders who passed derogatory remarks on women;
- The palpable religious tension as a result of body-snatching episodes, temple and church destructions and religious court cases;
- The judiciary rot;
- The inept and corrupt police;
- Hindraf’s charges of discrimination against the Indians;
- Bersih’s demands for clean and fair elections;
- The ‘Anwar factor’;
- The mainstream media’s repulsive propaganda of BN during the campaigning period...
And the list goes on...
REFLECTION - 4Cs
Lessons for Christian leaders
The saying that this election is a wake-up call to BN has been too clichéd a phrase. Yet, it is so. But it is a wake-up call not just to the vanquished but to all in leadership position to never take things for granted.
There are many things we Christian leaders can learn from March 8. We propose just four - the four Cs.
Care and Concern
At the end of the day, all the reasons for BN’s failure can be summarised thus they failed to listen to the voice of the people, they were insensitive to the people and thus, they failed to meet their needs. In short, BN demonstrated a lack of genuine concern for the people.
As spiritual leaders over our flocks, we must incline our ears to our people, always listening out to the bleating of our lambs. Because pastoral care and concern is paramount to the feeling of wellbeing among our members, we must always be sensitive to their needs, and take relevant and effective measures to meet them as best as we can. Failure to do so will cause them to turn away.
One of the ways we can provide relevant pastoral care to our members is to develop the sense of kinship, or ‘family-ness’ - among them - the ‘WE’ rather than the ‘I’ mindset - where each member is regarded as a priesthood of all believers. For this, we need to help build spiritually-strong individual Christians who can look beyond their own individual needs to the larger body of Christ and the community.
Good leaders need to be personally engaged with the grassroots. We must never get to the stage where we are ‘inaccessible, unaccountable, infallible and immutable’. When we become inaccessible to our sheep, we become unaccountable to anyone. We will then think we are infallible and immutable in that we become so puffed up and hardened that we are unable to change.
Competency
The BN leadership has been seen to be laregly inefficient and ineffective. They were leaders but they were not leading. There were many words but no work - mere rhetoric. Their incompetence resulted in their inability to execute effective policies to efficiently implement projects. Instead, they wasted untold sums of taxpayers’ money, arousing deep resentment among the masses, which was acutely expressed on March 8.
Just as competency is vital to the good health of a country’s administration, it is also crucial to the health of any ministry or congregation. Spiritual leadership is more than preaching and talking.
The Church must radiate vibrancy and life to the community and this can only come about if it has competent, capable leaders who are able to lead effectively and efficiently.
What are competent leaders like? Firstly, they are knowledgeable of current issues and they know how to interpret them evangelistically, strategically and prophetically.
Secondly, they have deep knowledge and understanding of God’s holy Word and they are thus able to present apologetic responses to the many questions from their members.
And thirdly, they know how to work with people and utilise resources to the fullest. In short, competent spiritual leaders are adequately and appropriately equipped to deal with the issues and challenges confronting the congregation.
Character
Many BN leaders were reviled by the people because of integrity issue. They were perceived to be corrupt and immoral, and a number of them were known to be so. It was far too obvious to the masses that these leaders held their positions for personal gains. They were in it for the 3Gs - gold, girl and glory. The seduction of materialism and wealth has derailed many an honest leader from his calling and focus.
The temptation of sexual immorality is so insidious that many good leaders have unconsciously succumbed to its irresistible lure.
Meanwhile, the pull of power has drawn many leaders into a state of self-preservation for the purpose of controlling their members. Spiritual leaders must always be conscious of these trappings and guard themselves against the 3Gs at all costs, even with their very own lives.
Commitment
This election has shown that Malaysians have come of age. They have become politically conscious of their influence and right to determine their leaders. They know now they have the ability to make a change. And they expect their leaders to be committed to their service, or else they will exercise their right to remove them.
Our sheep need shepherds who are devoted to their mission, committed to their task and sacrificial in their service. Are we, spiritual leaders, meeting our flocks’ expectation? Are we "abandoned" to our service to the Lord and to our flocks? If we are not, then we must be ready for "change" either we change or we are changed (replaced).
Conclusion
Concern for our flock. Competency in our capabilities. Character of heart. Commitment to our ministry may these be engrained in our hearts and minds as we watch over our flock.
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