Pak Lah's Continued Good Health Crucial For The Nation

"I am well. Don't worry," Bernama quoted the Prime Minister, who refuted a claim spread through the Internet that he had 'fainted' at a public function yesterday. "I will continue with the programmes that (have) been arranged for me," he told reporters. "The doctor (personal physician Dr Sanjiv Joshi) had conducted several tests on me including ECG, blood and blood pressure and these were found to be normal," Pak Lah added.

While attending a people's feast at the launching of the Hadhari Square in Teluk Batik, Lumut on Sunday afternoon the PM appeared to be losing balance and almost collapsed but was held by Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali and BNBBC acting chairman Datuk Raja Ahmad Zainuddin Raja Omar.

Pak Lah ventured a guess that his condition could be due to the heat as the weather was very hot and also due to his lack of sleep last night. "I'm relieved now (after the doctor's examination). At first I was worried too. I thank the Almighty that I'm alright," he added. The PM's personal physician concurred that his condition was due to heat exhaustion (the temperature was reported to be at 44 degrees Celsius) and added that "from the medical examination, his health condition is found to be good and there's nothing to worry about."

That the Prime Minister is well and not in any imminent danger is good news indeed and the nation as a whole should be thankful. Over the past few years there has been a tendency to openly criticize the government including our leaders. This privilege to be so voluble and censorious was granted to us by Pak Lah's liberal and lenient policies. Of that fact let there be no doubt. For all of Tun Dr Mahathir's achievements, an indulgent attitude towards free speech was not his hallmark. If today the internet media and the blogs dare to personally tick off the PM it is with the knowledge that they won't be locked up tomorrow under the ISA. Such confidence was simply not there when the earlier administration was in power. While much of the criticism directed at Pak Lah is justified some of it was totally unnecessary and at times bordered on sedition. Yet his administration did nothing adverse to quell the new found courage of Malaysians. Sure, intolerant politicians like Zainuddin Maidin have publicly derided blogs as being 'anti-government' but nothing thus far has been done to 'correct' that misconception.

A country's chief executive, in our case the Prime Minister is the epitome of the nation as a whole. In the Malaysian context it is in our collective interest to have a healthy Pak Lah. The continued stability of the nation hinges on his being around for a longer period than his detractors would like. The alternative is at this point in time a little frightening to contemplate and the choices, Hobsonian. Of late there have been blogs that have figuratively placed Dr Mahathir on their collective shoulders and acclaimed and applauded him as some sort of new Messiah, all because he dares to condemn and take the national leadership to task. While such a prominent personality is beneficial and indeed essential to serve as a sort of check and counter-balance to government, let there be no illusions about him having changed his political philosophy or his modus operandi.

To be sure the PM has his shortcomings. But then again who doesn't? Moreover when compared to the high flying years of economic success under Dr Mahathir, Pak Lah and his kerajaan have been found wanting. But for those who cherish their personal freedom, this government has been like a breath of fresh air and the word 'draconian' often used to describe the previous administration has all but slipped to the far background.
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