The Lost Art of Public Service: Why Tan Sri Dr Fong Chan Onn and Dr Wan Azizah Must Be Today’s Role Models

In the turbulent waters of Malaysian politics, coalitions collapse and parties fracture under the weight of ego and ambition. Yet, long after the dust settles, the true measure of a leader is how they treated ordinary citizens when the cameras were turned off. 

Today, the standard of public service has drastically declined, but we can look to two leaders from opposite sides of the historical divide to understand what we have lost: Tan Sri Dr Fong Chan Onn and Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

For decades, Tan Sri Dr Fong Chan Onn served as a pillar of the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA). A brilliant academic turned statesman, his integrity stood in stark contrast to the rot developing around him. 

History will remember that the downfall of Barisan Nasional (BN)—and the subsequent decline of MCA—was not the fault of dedicated servants like Dr Fong, but rather the hubris, excesses, and scandals of his colleagues in BN, particularly within UMNO, alongside a number of self-serving leaders within MCA past and present.

Contrast that era of dedication with what we witness today. It is unthinkable how many Democratic Action Party (DAP) leaders have shifted in their attitude. Once the fiery champions of the grassroots, too many modern DAP leaders have grown detached, refusing to properly serve or even meet their own constituents. 

Instead of emulating the stellar examples of humility set by their predecessors, they copy all the bad habits of the old regime—arrogance and bureaucratic aloofness—instead of the good ones.

True leadership, however, cannot be hidden. Just today, I received heartwarming news that a lady whom Dr Wan Azizah helped a couple of years ago was spontaneously sent aid by "Kak Wan" once again. This impromptu act proves she still genuinely remembers her constituents during their difficult times.

Kak Wan’s special officer visiting one of the constituents in Bandar Tun Razak

Recently, after I write about how Dr Fook took the extra mile to contact his successor from another party to help a case they I told him about, I received some feedback telling me that if Dr Fong and Dr Wan Azizah can do all these things, then I should just go to them. 

To the politicians who make such dismissive comments, I ask: what are you good for then? Are you only around to look after your own people, or to solve problems strictly for your cronies? Where are your principles when you are supposed to be altruistic and serving the public?

Politicians are rarely known for their humanity unless they need your vote, but Dr Fong and Dr Wan Azizah break that cynical mold. If today’s leaders want to win back public trust, they must stop looking at politics as a game of thrones and start emulating these two exemplary figures.