A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way.
– John Calvin Maxwell, American author, speaker
Decades ago, in a college tutorial discussion on the responsibilities and qualities of a member of parliament or a state assemblyman, I articulated two fundamental responsibilities of a people’s representative.
Firstly, an MP or assemblyman must represent his constituents accurately, effectively, and honestly in Parliament or the State Legislative Assembly. This is no easy task, as political realities often mean toeing the party line, even when it may not align with the best interests of his electorate.
Secondly, an MP does not wield executive power to resolve issues directly, but he holds influence that can steer those in authority to take action. A letter from an ordinary constituent may be handled with bureaucratic indifference, but a letter from an MP is more likely to reach senior officials who are compelled to act.
Similarly, an MP can convene meetings with local councils, businesses and government agencies to address pressing concerns such as poor drainage, the lack of basic amenities and substandard medical services.
Sadly, many elected representatives fall woefully short of these expectations. Too often, some prioritise personal gain, public relations stunts, or the welfare of their inner circle rather than the people they swore to serve.
They bask in media attention, selectively distribute resources to cronies and engage in divisive rhetoric to advance their political careers. Unfortunately, voters sometimes are to blame, as they perpetuate this cycle by electing poor-quality candidates based on racial or religious lines rather than merit.
But every now and then, a leader emerges displaying the true essence of public service. Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, the MP for Bintulu, assemblyman for Dudong, and Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, is one such rarity. He is not a politician who merely makes promises; he delivers, and often in the most extraordinary ways.
When devastating floods struck Sarawak during the Chinese New Year (CNY) celebrations, displacing thousands across the state, many leaders offered sympathy from the comfort of their offices. Not Tiong. Instead of indulging in festive feasts with his family, he waded through waist-deep waters, battling the relentless rain to personally assist those in distress.
He even cancelled his CNY open house, originally scheduled for Feb 9, to focus on flood relief efforts.
Images and videos of him drenched and struggling against the strong currents while aiding flood victims spread across social media like wildfire. Wearing nothing but a T-shirt, shorts, slippers, and a raincoat, he helped evacuate families, assisted the elderly and ensured relief efforts were well coordinated.
At one point, the waters had risen so high that he had to swim through flooded streets to reach those trapped in their homes. His actions were not mere token gestures for the cameras – this was a man driven by duty and compassion.
His dedication extended beyond mere physical presence. Tiong swiftly engaged with the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) to ensure a rapid response. He liaised with the Fire and Rescue Department, Civil Defence Force, military, and police to mobilise rescue and relief operations.
Aware that existing infrastructure had failed to mitigate the floods, he pressed authorities to take immediate action in deepening and widening Sungai Sebiew and Sungai Kemena – both of which had been neglected for years.
Tiong’s hands-on approach during the crisis was not an isolated incident. His tenure as an MP has been marked by consistent engagement with his constituents. Unlike many who delegate duties to their aides, he is often seen personally addressing grievances, whether it be helping a struggling hawker get a business permit, ensuring roads are repaired, or confronting bureaucratic inefficiencies head-on.
Despite his gung-ho nature, his accessibility is unparalleled; residents know that if they reach out to Tiong, they will get a response, not a generic excuse.
He is also unafraid to call out inefficiency, even within government agencies. He criticised the failure to act on longstanding drainage issues, highlighting how bureaucratic inaction had worsened the disaster.
Rather than blaming circumstances or terming the devastating floods as an act of the Almighty, as some PAS politicians had termed it recently when Kelantan was hit by severe flooding, Tiong demanded accountability and solutions, a trait sorely lacking in many of his counterparts.
While some politicians exploit racial and religious sentiments for political gain, Tiong stands above such divisive tactics. He understands that a leader’s duty transcends race, religion, or political allegiance – his responsibility is to all.
His humanitarian efforts during the floods extended to every community affected, regardless of their background. He did not ask about their ethnicity or political affiliation before helping them; he simply acted, because that is what a true leader does.
It is disheartening that leaders of Tiong’s calibre are rare in Malaysian politics. Too many MPs and assemblymen prioritise self-interest over public service, opting for power plays rather than genuine governance. If only more of our politicians embraced his unwavering commitment, the nation would be in far better hands.
Malaysians must recognise and support leaders like Tiong; leaders who do not merely speak of service but live it, who sacrifice personal comfort for the greater good, and who understand that the essence of leadership is not privilege, but duty.
On the third day of Chinese New Year, while many continued their celebrations, Tiong remained in the water, so to speak, ensuring that relief efforts did not wane. He is a politician who exemplifies what an MP, an assemblyman, or a minister should be – selfless, proactive and relentlessly dedicated to his people.
Never mind his antics at times which some politicians are quick to harp on; those are his personal matters.
Meanwhile, Tiong’s efforts have encouraged other YBs to turun padang to reach flood victims, with some seen wading through ankle- or knee-deep floods to hand over aid.
Despite his relief efforts, we have some sour grape politicians like the opposition MP Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin who made insensitive remarks even as Tiong was bravely wading through Bintulu’s worst floods, accusing him of deceiving PMX Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim with inflated tourist arrival figures to make his performance seem outstanding.
These people have nothing good to say about Tiong. One can only hope that more of his peers take a page from his book. Perhaps then, the political landscape of Malaysia will shift towards genuine service rather than mere survival in office.
Until that day comes, let us at least recognise and celebrate the few who truly display the spirit of leadership. Tiong is undoubtedly one of them. We look forward to his continued political leadership for many more terms to come, God willing.
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of Sarawak Tribune.
