Understanding the Feudal Mindset in Malaysian Political Organisations: A Need for Organisational Engineering

In the intricate tapestry of Malaysian political landscape, one often witnesses the rise and fall of parties like UMNO, where the stability seems to teeter on the shoulders of only a handful of leaders. This phenomenon can be attributed to the deeply entrenched feudal mindset within the political sphere. In this realm, leaders are elevated to the status of heroes, worshipped for their charisma and perceived ability to single-handedly navigate the complexities of governance.

The notion of leadership in Malaysian politics is akin to a feudal lord, where the leader is considered the rightful owner of the land and its people. This perception fosters a culture where the leader is glorified as a superhuman figure, capable of achieving anything from A to Z, while sidelining the contributions and voices of the masses. This mindset, ingrained over generations, continues to prevail today.

However, this feudalistic approach fails to build organisational competency capable of withstanding internal rifts and external threats in the political arena. Political parties like UMNO often appear robust on the surface, buoyed by the charisma of their leaders, but are hollow within. They resemble inflated balloons, susceptible to bursting at any moment. While they may appear formidable in the eyes of the public, experts in organisational engineering and leadership recognize the artificial rise created by the hot air of charismatic leaders.

Contrastingly, corporate giants like Sime Darby, Maybank, and Petronas invest significantly in building organisational competency. Their structures are designed to handle internal challenges and external competition with resilience. The removal of a president, CEO, or board member does not destabilise these corporations, as they are built on solid foundations of expertise and strategic planning.

Unfortunately, many fail to grasp the distinction between individual leadership and organisational strength. While a charismatic leader may capture attention, true organizational prowess lies in collective competency. It’s akin to comparing the strength of a single leader to the might of a thousand-footed organisation.

This discrepancy often leads to shallow debates in Malaysian politics, focusing on superficial issues rather than critical and strategic matters. Instead of delving deep into the bedrock of policies and governance, discussions remain surface-level, akin to swimming without ever diving into the depths or reaching for the stars.

To address this gap, there’s a pressing need for a paradigm shift towards organisational engineering and leadership in Malaysian political organisations. By prioritising competency over charisma, parties can build structures capable of weathering storms and fostering sustainable growth. It’s time to move beyond the feudal mindset and embrace a future where the strength of the organisation surpasses the allure of individual leaders. Only then can Malaysian politics evolve into a realm of true progress and prosperity for all.