Wowing them in Parliament
Yesterday, the Prince and I presented to a Parliamentary Committee, full of Members of Parliament. Conclusion: we wowed them. :)
It was intimidating, presenting after a Professor whose an authority on WTO issues and has written several books on it. Not to mention that it was a compelling presentation on Malaysia's position (or lack of it) when it comes to trade liberalization, be it on a bilateral, multilateral or plurilateral basis.
But then again, it was two different areas and we were coming more from an issues and implementation perspective.
The Prince started off not very well, due to the amount of detail in the slides presentation. I was getting nervous - it's never a good sign when the MPs look bored and restless. It was an information overload.
What was needed, was for us to size down the essential points into bite-size information. The opportunity came when the MP from Puchong, (whose quite well read, I must admit) intervened to ask a pertinent question. The Prince followed up with a short reply and I signalled him, to be given the opportunity to answer the question.
Then I worked the room - as I've done in the last 4 years. Key issues, key causes, key remedies. Keep the message short and simple, the solutions workable. Coupled with the depression I've been feeling, in the last few days, I was intense in sending the message across. The funny thing about my life, is that I've always excelled in work or studies, when I am most depressed. It gives me that "edge".
Suddenly, the room came alive and questions from the MPs came in a barrage. It worked - we had them clued in and interested. After that, they were attentive - most asked very relevant questions.
I must confess - my perception of our MPs changed slightly. Yes, they severely lacked awareness, did not have any form of core research team and were ill-equipped to play their role as a check on the Executive arm of the Government - but they were more than willing to listen and be advised, on issues. It was heartening - humility is one of the fundamentals of good leadership.
The MP from Jerai - constantly one of the best UMNO comedians in UMNO General Assembly - showed a more serious side and expressed his concern on the lack of R&D collaboration done by local corporates with local universities. He took several pot shots at Proton - and the room laughed gregariously.
Dato' Chairman invited us to present the whole of our proposals for RMK9, into their Memorandum, to be presented to the Cabinet. The Prince and I were elated - we just found ourselves some new allies, in the policy lobbying game. And perhaps policy monitoring too, if the MPs were willing to stand up to the Ministers and demand accountability and proper implementation on Government policies.
At the end of 45-minute presentation, Dato' Southern Star, who was the Secretary of the Committee, obviously warmed up to us. He was a bit suspicious of me in our first meeting, but all of that had dissolved away. He knew that we had the interest of the industry and Malaysia at heart and we're just trying to solve the problems at the implementation level, in our own way.
"We should work closer after this, " he said. I was pleased - the ice had been thawed.
Dato' Role Model said to me jokingly after that - "you know, this Parliamentary Committee has not lobbied for any policies yet, under RMK9. But we have do a nice lobby in Parliament. Literally." I replied, "Yes, but you do have a lot of people sitting in a very nice lobby. It's a start." ;)
At lunch, Dato' Chairman and I agreed that the main problem right now lies with the implementation of policies by the Government. No matter how good our national policies were, if we can't effect the implementation properly, national resources will go to much waste. The needed solutions will take a lot of political willpower and a strong desire to reform the civil service.
The question is: would the willpower at the top be there? Or will it be the usual live and let live, so typical of Malaysian political leadership?
The Prince and I left Parliament House, after lunch. Deep in our hearts, we knew that something good was beginning. And that our days of policy-making in Parliament - had just begun. The future is just waiting to unfold.
Gosh, I need more days like this. :) Especially now. Thank you, God.
It was intimidating, presenting after a Professor whose an authority on WTO issues and has written several books on it. Not to mention that it was a compelling presentation on Malaysia's position (or lack of it) when it comes to trade liberalization, be it on a bilateral, multilateral or plurilateral basis.
But then again, it was two different areas and we were coming more from an issues and implementation perspective.
The Prince started off not very well, due to the amount of detail in the slides presentation. I was getting nervous - it's never a good sign when the MPs look bored and restless. It was an information overload.
What was needed, was for us to size down the essential points into bite-size information. The opportunity came when the MP from Puchong, (whose quite well read, I must admit) intervened to ask a pertinent question. The Prince followed up with a short reply and I signalled him, to be given the opportunity to answer the question.
Then I worked the room - as I've done in the last 4 years. Key issues, key causes, key remedies. Keep the message short and simple, the solutions workable. Coupled with the depression I've been feeling, in the last few days, I was intense in sending the message across. The funny thing about my life, is that I've always excelled in work or studies, when I am most depressed. It gives me that "edge".
Suddenly, the room came alive and questions from the MPs came in a barrage. It worked - we had them clued in and interested. After that, they were attentive - most asked very relevant questions.
I must confess - my perception of our MPs changed slightly. Yes, they severely lacked awareness, did not have any form of core research team and were ill-equipped to play their role as a check on the Executive arm of the Government - but they were more than willing to listen and be advised, on issues. It was heartening - humility is one of the fundamentals of good leadership.
The MP from Jerai - constantly one of the best UMNO comedians in UMNO General Assembly - showed a more serious side and expressed his concern on the lack of R&D collaboration done by local corporates with local universities. He took several pot shots at Proton - and the room laughed gregariously.
Dato' Chairman invited us to present the whole of our proposals for RMK9, into their Memorandum, to be presented to the Cabinet. The Prince and I were elated - we just found ourselves some new allies, in the policy lobbying game. And perhaps policy monitoring too, if the MPs were willing to stand up to the Ministers and demand accountability and proper implementation on Government policies.
At the end of 45-minute presentation, Dato' Southern Star, who was the Secretary of the Committee, obviously warmed up to us. He was a bit suspicious of me in our first meeting, but all of that had dissolved away. He knew that we had the interest of the industry and Malaysia at heart and we're just trying to solve the problems at the implementation level, in our own way.
"We should work closer after this, " he said. I was pleased - the ice had been thawed.
Dato' Role Model said to me jokingly after that - "you know, this Parliamentary Committee has not lobbied for any policies yet, under RMK9. But we have do a nice lobby in Parliament. Literally." I replied, "Yes, but you do have a lot of people sitting in a very nice lobby. It's a start." ;)
At lunch, Dato' Chairman and I agreed that the main problem right now lies with the implementation of policies by the Government. No matter how good our national policies were, if we can't effect the implementation properly, national resources will go to much waste. The needed solutions will take a lot of political willpower and a strong desire to reform the civil service.
The question is: would the willpower at the top be there? Or will it be the usual live and let live, so typical of Malaysian political leadership?
The Prince and I left Parliament House, after lunch. Deep in our hearts, we knew that something good was beginning. And that our days of policy-making in Parliament - had just begun. The future is just waiting to unfold.
Gosh, I need more days like this. :) Especially now. Thank you, God.
posted by Stingrayz | 7:42 PM
6 Comments:
Now this post is more like it.. Keep writing, I need a good read during that sleepless night adopting to UK time.. again...
Best of luck...
Hey Sh_zsa,
You're travelling again, huh? Wah, yesterday China, today UK,...you're a total jet-setter lah,...:)
Travelling for work is good,...but when are you travelling for fun? Haha!
Bravo! Here's to praying for more beautiful days and glorious outcomes.
Amin, Min! :) Good luck for your exams too!
Lovely read, Stingray. Glad that you've successfully worked The Room! Now I am really going to double and triple my efforts to scan the newspaper in the coming months, looking for clues *wink*
Thanks Voice. :)
But people like me and the Prince - like so many faceless people in NGOs out there - work in the background. Even if it's the product of our work, you might not find out.
Unless I tell you, when it does make the papers. ;)
I can be bribed with a Milo Ais,...or shall I try a Nescafe tarik? Hehe,...
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