Anwar: Leaders must be able to forgive and move on
KUALA LUMPUR: What does it take to be a leader? Taking the words of philosopher Herman Kahn, the future prime minister of Malaysia, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that leadership is a responsibility, not a privilege.
He also spoke on the values that leaders should uphold.
“It is about compassion and justice. Leaders must take responsibility of human being at large from cleaners to technocrats,” he said while delivery his keynote address at the Global Leadership Awards.
“Leaders must be concerned about every single person. That is why there is disparity between the top and bottom. The same goes for a government,” he added.
Despite having been a deputy prime minister previously, he spoke based on his observation as a person learning about leadership.
He said that challenges are faced by leaders from various aspects at the same time.
“It is unprecedented. There is political turmoil. You dont only need to solve economic issues such as the China-US trade war but also numerous other issues. “
“There are also a lot of changes in digital technology. There are computers, artificial intelligence and internet of things. It requires leaders from all leaders from fields.”
He also stressed on the need for leaders to have political and moral values in making decisions.
“It would be a major problem if leaders act without political and moral values and lead to failure in governance,” he said.
He then spoke about his passion to lead Malaysia after experiencing life behind bars.
“I have passion for this with a long absence, Never had I imagined reading classics and literature while being under false arrest in Sungai Buloh. We must forgive and move ahead.
“I have opted to forgive and move ahead in the interest of the nation. It supersedes the tribulations that I have endured.”
Anwar also congratulated The Leaders Online for organising the event which introduces the movers and shakers of today.
