The World Cup and Malaysia

No this is not an article on how Malaysia can enter the World Cup apart from offering to play joint host with Singapore. Not possible for a JV as they do not know to build crooked stadia!

Some say that football should adopt modern technology to check infringements so that the human factor is minimised and the referees’ errors are eliminated. Looking at the football scandal in Italy, it shows that the beautiful game can turn ugly.

Others claim that if we introduce too much technology, the very soul and character of the beautiful game will be lost. Here we have a level playing field with 22 men, some of them earning more than 50,000 pounds a week obeying the direction and orders of the referee who receives no salary except match expenses.

Just observe the theatrics when a player is sent off for fouls or is replaced by the coach. Some of them take it well but others scowl and fume all the way to the dressing room. They cannot take part in the outcome that is left to the remaining players on the field.

Once you leave the action, you can only be a spectator but of course you are free to give your views on how the team is performing.

A good example of the team dynamics is the England team where Eriksson had his successor Maclaren with him for a few months so that a smooth transition was ensured. England did not get into the semi-finals and so Erikkson leaves without fulfilling England’s dream of winning the World Cup.

I think we can use this football analogy to evaluate the problems between the past Prime Minister and the current incumbent. Dr M has left office but is now very critical of his successor who was supposed to follow some undisclosed agreement.

This is a dangerous precedent as it implies that a resigning leader can make a successor beholden to him or her. Malaysia is a sovereign nation with duly elected leaders and based on the rule of law. We must all be vigilant to ensure that power is not concentrated in a handful of citizens who may not have our best interests at heart.

After leaving the field, the replaced coach or player cannot interfere with the play and has to leave the area.

Malaysia can adopt the following practices to ensure that we get the best leaders:

1. Political parties should discourage “no contest” elections for the top spots.
2. Party leaders should be selected from the grassroots and not just designated heads.
3. National leaders should be chosen during the general elections and not just selected from one party.
4. The PM’s post should be limited to two terms or age 65 whichever comes first.

As for the present problem, we should accept it as part of the development process. We have overcome the Emergency and Confrontation – this is really a minor hiccup.

Photo: http://www.thefa.com/NR/rdonlyres/DD723575-599C-483A-9568-C5DD0549BC78/65565/Sven_Belfast_L.jpg