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Mustapa: It's All About Public Trust
Datuk Mustapa Mohamed admits that he is cautious in whatever he does. This, he says has served him well throughout his career in Government and in politics. He is not averse to taking risks - calculated risks.
Q: What makes a good vice president?
A: A good vice president would be someone who possesses key characteristics that enable him to perform his duties well. I would count loyalty, experience, being hard working, highly committed to party cause, contemporary and forward-looking as among them. He must have a thorough understanding of Malay culture, extensive networking and the ability to relate to all levels of society. At this level of the party hierarchy, the person must have the competency, knowledge and maturity to handle the demands of the job. Ideally, he is someone who has spent reasonable time in government and politics; who knows the working well and has a good track record. Of course, having a good image and knowledge of Islam are also vital.
Q: Why have you decided to offer yourself for the post?
A: I look at this way. Umno has many leaders of high calibre. They are experienced and have accumulated expertise to manage party affairs, look after the interests of the Malays and also manage the affairs of the country.
At the appropriate time, it is important that they move up the party hierarchy to strengthen the party and also contribute to our nation. I believe the time is right for me to offer myself. I believe I have the necessary experience - having spent 30 years in both government and politics - and knowledge in administration, economics and management to be able to serve the party at this level. I am also driven by the satisfaction of being an active participant in policy-making, and creating an impact at the national level.
Q: What are your strengths and weaknesses?
A: I am a turun padang type of person. I meet the rakyat often. As a politician and minister, I listen to them and try to solve their problems, offer them solutions. I don't forget my roots. I make it a point to listen to what people have to say. I am a good listener, and I think it pays to be one. Example, I think one major reason we came so close to toppling the PAS government in Kelantan and made a serious dent to their support was because we had listened to the rakyat. We listened to their problems, grouses, hopes and expectations. We asked them 'What can we do for you?' After listening to the people, we devised our strategies and carefully think about how we were going to do those things which they need. I have a passion for work. I like to provide service and see results. In carrying out my duties, I want to make a difference and create an impact. It gives me great satisfaction to be able to resolve problems faced by the rakyat, or when I am able to make someone's life better. Weaknesses? Some people say I am too sabar, and in politics, that's not a virtue. But I am who I am. I don't believe in rushing into things.
Q: What do you think is the basis for delegates in picking their vice-presidents?
A: Delegates are mature and wise enough to choose their leaders. In the past, they have made the right choices. I believe they will do so again this time around.
Q: Considering that the vice presidents by tradition are potential picks as Deputy Prime Minister, do you feel you have what it takes?
A: The Malay proverb Ukur baju di badan sendiri is very apt. I think I have the necessary qualities that allow me to offer myself as a candidate. Otherwise, I would not have joined the fray. This is not an ego trip, neither is it a weekend outing. I am used to hard work. I think all candidates are clearly aware of their own strengths and weaknesses, what they are capable of and what they can offer. I am mentally, physically and psychologically ready to assume the heavy responsibility that comes with the territory.
Q: How does a candidate's financial standing impact the delegates support?
A: There are many millionaire politicians, but they don't necessarily make it to the top. Instead, we have leaders like former party president and Prime Minister, the late Tunku Abdul Rahman, who was relatively poor compared to prime ministers of other countries. Tun Dr. Mahathir was a doctor of a small private clinic when he entered active politics. Yet he rose to become Umno president and Prime Minister. He achieved that through sheer guts and perhaps, some luck, and not because he had tons of money. Datuk Seri Abdullah was a civil servant before he joined politics. He was not rich. His rise through the ranks is because of his tenacity and determination, and also because he is clean and very loyal.
Q: What is your main agenda for the party should you be picked?
A: Umno also looks after the future of all Malaysians. And the future is arriving much quicker everyday. We have to be continuously contemporary and forward looking to meet our future. I think this should be a major focus and responsibility at the Vice President level. The constant evolving political, economic and social challenges around us means that Umno must continue to remain relevant in order to drive our people and country forward. The party's agenda is therefore already cut out. We have to improve our party administrative machinery, information mechanism and make Umno more attractive to the younger generation. We have recovered a lot of lost ground since 1999. The challenge for Umno is to sustain the strong and widespread support we are enjoying now from all sections of the society - professionals, ulama, academia, government servants, youths and the NGOs. We have been doing this quite well already but there is always room for improvement.
Q:How has Umno evolved in the last one year since Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi took over the helm?
A: If there is one word to capture the mood and the spirit in Umno since Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi took over the helm, it is 'change'. He has set the tone for reforms in many aspects of how the party, the Government and the country are to be run: good governance, accountability, responsibility, integrity, no corruption. More importantly, he has really raised the expectations of the people for change. Those holding public trust now have no choice but to live up to these expectations of reform. The Government, the civil service and very importantly the political parties - especially Umno have to live up to these expectations. We all have to follow his leadership. Datuk Seri Abdullah is building on the success of Tun Dr. Mahathir. Tun gave us confidence and made us believe in ourselves in the true spirit of Malaysia Boleh and Formula Malaysia. During his tenure, Malaysia built some of the finest world-class infrastructure and gained international prominence with many of its initiatives such as the Langkawi International Dialogue, South South Cooperation, Formula 1 and LIMA. Now that the country is politically and economically stable, Pak Lah is giving emphasis on the small man, developing the rural areas and providing incentives to sectors like agriculture as well as small and medium enterprises. It is back to basics, as emphasized by his maiden Budget speech on Sept 10.
Q: People perceive you as being too cautious a politician. What do you have to say about this?
A: I am a cautious person, agree. But I don't think there's anything bad about being careful. Since small, I have always been taught about the importance of being careful in whatever I do; not to rush into things blindly or do things that I may regret later just because I had not given it some thought. I like to know well what I am saying or talking about, as they may impact on other people. This has served me well throughout my career in Government and in politics. As a politician, we have to take risks and make decisions all the time. I do take risks - calculated risks - sometimes but that's different from being 'adventurous' all the time. We must learn not to rock the boat. A good mix of calculated risks and thought analysis is necessary, even vital, if a politician is to be effective. You cannot throw caution to the wind but, of course, at the same time one cannot cook an omelette without breaking the egg. Politics is actually about public trust. You are asking the public to trust you. This trust is largely built on delivery. Whether it is through caution or through breaking an egg you must deliver to the public good. Ultimately that is how the public will perceive us. That is how they will finally judge us.
Q: What do you think of each of the candidates?
A: I don't want to be judgmental. In any case, it is not fair for me to say much as I am one of the candidates. All I can say is that each and every one of us has our own strong points, and an equal chance of winning. The playing field has been made more level with the recent relaxation of the campaigning rules. We will do our best. We shall leave it to the maturity and wisdom of the delegates, who will objectively decide who among us can best represent and lead them.
Kuala Lumpur 16/09/2004
