By Dr.Sajad Hussein Kamarally
Over the years as a journalist, I had the privilege of meeting several Malaysian Prime Ministers at close range. Each encounter left an impression on me, not merely because of their position, but because of the way they greeted ordinary people. A greeting may seem like a small matter, but often it reveals the character of a leader more than speeches or official ceremonies.
Malaysia’s first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, greeted people warmly and informally. When he met villagers, reporters, or party workers, there was usually a smile, a gentle handshake, and often a joke to lighten the atmosphere. He had a natural touch with people. Even after retirement, he carried that same warmth and simplicity. One felt immediately at ease in his presence.
Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, Malaysia’s second Prime Minister, was different in temperament. Abdul Razak Hussein was calm, disciplined, and reserved. His greetings were polite and dignified, reflecting the seriousness of a man deeply focused on nation-building. Yet behind that quiet exterior was genuine concern for ordinary Malaysians, especially the rural poor. I still remember the respect and admiration people showed whenever he visited small towns and villages. His presence inspired confidence rather than excitement.
Then came Mahathir Mohamad, whom I first encountered as a young reporter during his early years in national leadership. His style was brisk, sharp, and energetic. His greeting was often quick but attentive. He looked directly at people, listened carefully, and moved with purpose. There was little small talk, but there was intensity and discipline. One immediately sensed that he valued efficiency and seriousness in work.
Looking back today, I realise that these three greetings reflected three different styles of leadership. The Tunku won hearts with warmth and humanity. Razak inspired trust through quiet dedication. Mahathir commanded attention with energy and determination. All three were different personalities, yet each left a lasting mark on the nation in his own way.
As a reporter fortunate enough to observe them from close quarters, I learned that leadership is not only shaped by policies and speeches. Sometimes, it is revealed in the simple manner a leader greets another human being.
Dr Sajad H Kamarally (sajadhk05@gmail.com) is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
The User Content (as defined on Newswav Terms of Use) above including the views expressed and media (pictures, videos, citations etc) were submitted & posted by the author. Newswav is solely an aggregation platform that hosts the User Content. If you have any questions about the content, copyright or other issues of the work, please contact creator@newswav.com.
