What Can Leaders Learn From Badan and Nyawa

The differing stand between Selangor Excos on the recent beer issue reminds me of Badan and Nyawa, two characters played in one of the most popular Malay movie classics, Nujum Pak Belalang.

In one of the episodes, Nyawa (S. Shamsuddin) and Badan ( Dato' Aziz Sattar) stole 2 cows and 2 goats from a village called Beringin Rendang. When they reached at a secluded place in the village, they decided to divide what they have stolen.

In the first round, Badan divided the stolen animals. Nyawa was not pleased with Badan as he was given 2 goats whilst Badan had 2 cows. Obviously, cows are both bigger in value and in size than goats. Nyawa called Badan a cheat. When Nyawa had his turn, instead of dividing the stolen animals equally, Nyawa did exactly what Badan had done. Nyawa called himself a cheat. Thereafter, they flexed their muscles and quarreled.

Badan and Nyawa had divided the lines (ropes) equaly but not the animals. They had indeed lost focus on the issue and more importantly they have totally forgotten that they have a shared goal - to divide the loot equally.

Belalang who had all the while been hiding on a tree saw an opportunity to seize all the animals when both Badan and Nyawa quarrelled over their loot. Belalang tricked both Nyawa and Badan who then hurriedly fled for their lives. Belalang had all the animals to be subsequently returned to the villagers.

The above is a synopsis of the what can be a cynical episode. It is cynical as we relate this episode in this Malay classic produced in 1959 to the diverging directions taken by Selangor government leaders on the recent issue.

I guessed the late Tan Sri P. Ramlee could be really displeased as leaders have not learned:
i) that organisation is vulnerable to attacks from third party if their leaders are going separate directions
ii) to resolve conflicts by focusing on common goals
iii) to move emotions before moving actions

The cue is, leaders need not have to wait till someone said "I have told you so." By then every efforts would be futile and followers left in limbo due to lack of direction on the part of their leaders.