LETTER | Political leaders, we need a candle in the wind…

LETTER | Enough is enough. The wind of change to change our political leaders is strong. 

Many in Keluarga Malaysia are wounded and we need healers.

We thought our leaders are healers with wisdom, compassion even selflessness but bedside compassion is missing. We know our darkness well but they could not care less or provide the light.

They are neither the candle nor the mirror that can reflect the light that we badly needed.

The GE14 results were exceptional. This monumental event felt like a new Merdeka. The results were painfully shocking for the ruling coalition and joyfully shocking for the opposition.

Malaysians’ curiosity then is like the wick in the candle of learning. They thought the new leaders have candles in their hearts, ready to be kindled, even if it is only that of a small one.

Since then, we have had three new governments.

We are not here to curse the darkness but to light the candle that can guide us through that darkness to a safe and sane future. 

But we forgot it cannot burn without fire and also, to light it will cast a shadow. These new candles are too smart. They know candle dies while making others happy and are not willing to sacrifice themselves. 

They know how not to burn their fingers while snuffing others. This is special because many of them are mediocre and do not possess the passion and a set of virtues that are needed to be protected and cherished. 

We need to replace this set of leaders. Really, they are the wind that extinguishes candles and fan fires. 

The light will not be shortened since we have more than 70 of them that can give continuous light because happiness never decreases by being shared. We are not worried if they flicker but we don’t seem to have the spark that starts the fire.

Actually, we do not need a candle to light the way but teach us how to make fire instead and be enlightened. As Buddha said, nirvana is not the blowing out of the candle. It is the extinguishing of the flame because the day has come.

We don’t want when the candle shop is burned down, everyone standing around to sing Happy Birthday.

Honestly, Malaysians wanted to buy candle holders but the store didn’t have one, so we are trying to buy a big cake to be shared among all. We want to be able to blow it without sending wax flying across the table.

Do your job diligently

For the political leaders, in this long night that is full of pain and darkness, please be a candle spreading the light until dawn. You are a candle, true. But we need the ones that are lit. 

You know you’re getting old when you get that one candle on the cake. It’s like, “See if you can blow this out”.

Reputation is only a candle of wavering and uncertain flame and easily blown out but it is the light by which the world looks for.

We want you to be like a candle with a mission - to illuminate the darkness, do your job diligently and with enthusiasm, and be morally upright and deeply compassionate.

At some point, you will fade and your turn to make use of someone else’s light.

Blowing out someone else’s candle doesn’t make yours shine any brighter.

You were a candle that had never known a flame and now that the flame was lit, please soften and glow in a way that brings light to all.

A friend is a wax that keeps the flame lit and an enemy is a wind that blows it out. 

When Thomas Edison worked late into the night on the electric light, he had to do it by gas lamp or candle. I’m sure it made the work seem that much more urgent.

To catch up you may want to lit it at either end, provided there is a sufficient wick standing out or risk burning your fingers.

A candle in the wind is as valiant as a star in the sky.

Sometimes, candles are left to burn to the very end, and other times are blown out while there is much of the candlestick remaining.

“Your candle burned out long before your legend ever did” - Elton John’s “Candle in the Wind” lyric. 

Imagine what your life would look like if you stayed lit and were the brightest candle you could ever be for all? What do you think that would look like for you?

So much about candles, now please bring back the electricity.

What say you…

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.