A SENSE OF URGENCY

Some time back i remember reading a book titled 'a sense of URGENCY' written by a well known author John P. Kotter. But when i was reading that book, never did i realise that one day the Malaysian Indian Congress would be looking into this way, or shall i say looking into 'A SENSE OF URGENCY'.

I am very sure that if Mr. John. P Kotter were to know that a political party in Malaysia has looked along that way, i am indeed sure that he would be pleased.

Many of my friends whom i have met recently, asked me so many questions on what was this workshop that Malaysian Indian Congress Organised? Can this workshop really bring out the best amongst the grassroot leaders?

I did answer them to the best of my ability, while many nodded with agreement that it is possible, some just walked away 'probably thinking i was day dreaming'.

I have decided to write a little bit more for those who could not understand what i was trying to explain.

The Malaysian Indian Congress recently had a forum titled “A Sense OF Urgency”. The forum was attended by all national and state leaders but was geared especially for the division chairmen’s as they were the primary target audience.

Many would still remember the words of our Y.A.B. Prime Minister - Dato Sri Najib Tun Razak, during his opening remarks at the Malaysian Indian Congress’s 63rd Assembly ‘It is of no use, if we are popular within the party, but what is important is to be popular amongst the people’. Taking it from that point and based on one of the most important motives of the forum was to enlighten and raise awareness of the party leaders at the divisional level and members on the urgent need for transformation within the party in order to become more relevant, and besides that, we emphasised on the importance to be more people centric especially in the vastly complex and competitive political landscape of today.

This was done firstly thru a very honest and transparent look into the current mechanics of the party. Using the ever popular SWOT analysis, questions such as, what are our strengths? What are our weaknesses? What are the opportunities that can be gained from the present political scenario? and What are the threats that face the party? These questions were delved into in a very introverted and honest manner. Though some of the answers to these questions were painful, yet they were necessary in order to make the party members aware of the urgency of the matter at hand and also finding proactive answers to deal with these questions.

The next part of the forum concentrated on answering these questions. This covered various topics of discussion and ranged from common courtesies that a leader should have to more practical matters such as proper documentation when handling the people’s problems. The primary aim of this part of the forum was to educate, inform and inspire the leaders present on how their every action and reaction will affect the public’s perception of the party. Each member from the branch right up to the party’s top echelon are roaming ambassadors of the parties image and should behave in a way that befits the party was the message conveyed.

The last part of the forum focused on the Key Performance Index that the party has decided to introduce. The KPI would be the yardstick to determine if a division or branch leader has succeeded in proving their mantle as representatives of the party to the grassroots population they should be serving. The participants of the forum were informed on how the KPI system would work and also told of the importance of meeting the standards in the battle to win the hearts and minds of the Indian community and society at large. The key transformation here was to galvanise seat wormers into heart warmers of the community, to inspire humility that exalts service to race and nation, to implement best practice solutions even during the worst of crisis’s.

By and far I’m happy to note that the forum was a tremendous success and also eye opener for many present. However the true measure of success begins after the forum. I truly believe that the message of transformation will be heard across the country where the party is flag is raised. The urgency of the moment can and I’m confident will be seized by the leaders and members to better serve the people and community. This forum is intended to be the catalyst for the party to become more service cantered and people friendly and become a micro facet of the government’s clarion call of “People First Performance Now.

I believe that change is possible and like how Barack Obama's campaing said - CHANGE - IN WHAT YOU BELIEVE YOU CAN.

I sibscribe to that whole heartedly and i will work towards that.