Of leaders

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My colleague and I were on our way to see a customer. He related an interesting story. One of the company’s top leaders, M had an appointment with Perak Menteri Besar to discuss on a matter concerning a state land. Dato Seri Nizar had arrived 10 minutes late – he shaked M’s hands and said “I’m sorry I’m late”. M was really taken aback, because this is not a common experience. He is used to top officials being more than an hour late, and didn’t offer any apologies. "What a humble man," my colleague (a non-Muslim) had commented. Such small gestures – but has big impacts. Subhanallah.

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Our meeting with the customer had just been concluded and we were just chatting when the lady lawyer from the customer’s legal unit exclaimed “0bama has won, you know!” The five of us seemed happy with this news, so I guess we all shared the same favourite. “But he should have a very strong security around the clock, because there will be some white people who would want to assassinate him,” the GM said. I was surprised. Of all things, this is his first response. “But is white supremacism still that bad over there? Isn’t the fact that he has won shown that there is positive change?” I challenged. “Some people would still be very unhappy – they wouldn’t be able to accept it.” Well, all the best to the new president. I hope you will be able to fulfill the people’s high expectations. I know the states are a long way from here, but admit it – what happens in that part of the world does have impacts all over the world.