Waste not, want not; time and tide waits for no one

The Menteri Besar of Terengganu says no red carpet or souvenirs for him, and be punctual!

RED CARPETS DOWN THE DRAIN!

No red carpet or souvenirs for me please!

This is the Terngganu Menteri Besar Ahmad Said's clear message to all those inviting him to their functions.

“I’m a worker. I work for the state, so there’s no need for gifts. There’s no place for me to put them,” he said to rapturous applause. Ahmad was speaking at a gathering of Wisma Darul Iman (The State Government Offices) staff in Kuala Terengganu, recently.

He also stressed that when it came to discipline there was no compromise, especially when it came to being punctual.

SHAMEFULLY LATE!

Ahmad said although people joked about ‘Malaysian time’, not only did he not find the term amusing, but considered that it was, in fact, insulting.

He added those who wanted to meet up with him, to do so in order to give constructive ideas and not to back-stab others.

Wise and heartening words from Ahmad Said, let’s hope that this will become the universally adopted practice throughout the length and breadth of Malaysia, in all State Governments, and throughout the Federal Government, and private sector too.

Doing away with presents, souvenirs, bouquets of flowers, corsages, red carpets, and all the other wasteful and unnecessary pampering and trappings will save vast sums of money every year.

Punctuality will also result in massive savings, both of time and money.

May I suggest that, if any guest of honour is more that five minutes late, then the function should commence without them, or perhaps all the other guests should get up and leave?

Non sibi sed suis

- Not for one's self but for one's people