Kadir: Bashah’s rise goes against emphasis on education
We might as well shut down all our universities, says the veteran newsman.
KUALA LUMPUR: Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah’s appointment as Kedah Menteri Besar despite his educational deficiency contradicts the government’s emphasis on the importance of education, says veteran journalist A Kadir Jasin.
“Don’t tell me that out of the thousands of educated Umno members, not one is qualified enough to lead a state,” Kadir said in an interview with FMT.
“If that’s the case, then we might as well shut down all the universities in the country and make it a requirement that anyone wishing to become a politician must not be a university graduate.”
According to him, it’s a universal belief that a leader must first of all be in possession of knowledge so that he is able to lead with wisdom.
“That’s why we’ve struggled to build scores of universities,” he said.
He said Umno should be appointing leaders from among those who are knowledgeable. “Without knowledge, can a leader understand the stock market, the global economy and fiscal and monetary policies?”
He also said Bashah’s appointment proved that Prime Minister Najib Razak’s priority is his political survival, not the interests of the nation or Umno.
He alleged that Najib’s recent appointments pointed to his need to surround himself with yes men.
“Umno and the members of the administration are no longer making decisions based on the public’s interest,” he said. “They are merely trying to ensure their political survival.”
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Ahmad Bashah was sworn in as Kedah’s Menteri Besar last Thursday amid criticism over his lack of academic qualifications. The 65-year-old took over the position from Mukhriz Mahathir. He presided at a surprise press conference held two weeks ago in which several Kedah Umno warlords called for Mukhriz’s removal.