08/08/2026

SATURDAY | AUG 8, 2026

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T HERE are two versions of every politician – the one you see on stage and the one you meet after the microphones are switched off. After 16 years in journalism, I have learnt that the second version is usually the more interesting one. The first knows exactly where the cameras are. The second doesn’t realise anyone is watching. Anthony Loke stepping down as Negeri Sembilan DAP chairman after the party’s disappointing showing in the state election got me thinking about that. Before some of you decide this is my audition to become DAP’s newest member, relax. I can almost hear the keyboards clacking already. “Hashini dah masuk DAP.” Sorry to disappoint. This isn’t about DAP. It is about leadership. And trust me, the two aren’t always the same thing. Living in Seremban, I have watched Loke’s political journey unfold over the years, not just as a journalist, but as someone who calls this city home. Long before he became Transport Minister or DAP secretary-general, he became Negeri Sembilan DAP chairman at just 27. Nearly two decades later, after the party lost ground in the state election, he walked away from that very position. That caught my attention – not because politicians resign every day. Quite the opposite. In politics, stepping down has become about as fashionable as admitting you are wrong. Usually, when elections go badly, someone else gets the blame. The voters “didn’t understand”. The media “twisted the narrative”. Coalition partners “didn’t do enough”. If all else fails, blame social media. It is surprisingly versatile. Loke did something different. He accepted responsibility. That doesn’t erase the disappointment of losing Chennah, a seat he had represented The impact is alarming, especially amid rapid technological advancement, which, while making life more convenient, has also introduced new psychological pressures. New data released by the World Health Organisation in September 2025 indicate that more than one billion people globally are living with mental health disorders, including depression, excessive rumination and anxiety disorders. The rapid escalation of these cases highlights the severity of the issue, which often goes unnoticed within one’s immediate social circle among family members, friends and neighbours. Addressing this growing concern requires cultivating sound cognitive and emotional frameworks through appropriate methods of thinking from both secular psychological approaches and ethical and spiritual practices. There is little doubt that many mental health problems are closely related to persistent overthinking, in which negative thoughts repeatedly circulate in the mind and become difficult to remove from the subconscious. Questions such as “Why am I not good enough?”, “Why am I not like others?”, “What will happen to me in future?”, “What will people say about me?” and “Why do people blame me?” are examples of mental chatters that constantly echo in the mind.

When did decency become headline news?

remembers how many times you said “moving forward” during a press conference. They remember whether you listened. They remember whether you respected people. They remember whether you stayed behind to answer one last question instead of slipping out the back door. I have seen enough politics to know that elections are unpredictable. Power is temporary. Titles come with expiry dates. Character doesn’t. Loke may have lost Chennah by a narrow margin. One day, he may no longer represent Seremban. Someone else will eventually become DAP secretary-general. That is democracy. If there is one lesson I have taken away from watching his journey over the years, it is this: Leadership isn’t defined by the title on your business card. It is defined by who you remain when that title no longer belongs to you. Malaysia doesn’t need more politicians who know how to win elections. We have produced plenty of those. What we are desperately short of are leaders who know how to lose with grace, lead with humility and leave with dignity. Perhaps that is the headline we should be paying more attention to. Hashini Kavishtri Kannan is the news editor at theSun. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com

since 2013. Nor does it guarantee that Seremban, where he remains the Member of Parliament, will always remain in his hands. Politics is a funny business. Today’s fortress can become tomorrow’s battleground. Nothing is permanent – not seats, not governments, not power. Then came another decision that made me pause. Just days after announcing his resignation as state chairman, Loke said DAP’s delegates – not its Central Executive Committee – would decide whether the party should remain in the Unity government or leave. More than 4,000 delegates. A secret ballot. No public lobbying from the secretary-general. He even said he didn’t want to influence the delegates by declaring his own preference. Now, whether DAP stays in government or walks away isn’t really the point. What struck me was this. In an age where too many leaders believe every important decision must pass through their desk, here was one prepared to let others decide. Leadership isn’t always about having the loudest voice. Sometimes, it’s about knowing when not to use it. That resonated with me because it reminded me of the Anthony Loke I have dealt with over the years. If reporters were waiting, he stayed. If there were difficult questions, he answered them. If he didn’t know something, he simply said so. You would be amazed how refreshing

the words, “I don’t know”, sound in politics. It shouldn’t be extraordinary. Yet, somehow it is. I have covered enough politicians to know that power has some rather peculiar side-effects. It affects hearing. Suddenly, “Datuk, one last question!” becomes impossible to detect. It affects eyesight. Ordinary people become increasingly difficult to spot once viewed through the tinted windows of an official car. And occasionally, it affects memory. Some forget who stood with them long before they discovered police outriders and VIP entrances. Loke never seemed to catch that particular virus. Was he perfect? Of course not. No politician is. I’ve disagreed with politicians from every party and I’ve agreed with politicians from every party. That is the beauty of democracy. But character isn’t measured by whether I agree with someone’s politics. It is measured by how they treat people when there is nothing to gain from doing so. That is the part we don’t talk about enough. We have become so obsessed with manifestoes, slogans and political manoeuvring that we have forgotten to ask a much simpler question: What kind of human being is this person? Because one day, every politician leaves office. The convoy disappears. The outriders move on. Someone else occupies the minister’s chair. The business card gets a new name. When that happens, nobody

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“Leadership isn’t defined by the title on your business card. It is defined by who you remain when that title no longer belongs to you.

COMMENT by Ariyanti Mustapha

The power of the subconscious mind for healthy living PEACEFULNESS and serenity are precious gems that need to be cultivated in every human life. The rising prevalence of mental health issues worldwide is putting the lives of teenagers and adults at risk, negatively affecting societal well-being. Over time, these repetitive thoughts become embedded in the subconscious, which may result in emotional distress such as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and chronic stress, thereby affecting an individual’s mental well-being.

The rising prevalence of mental health issues worldwide is

The increasing use of social media platforms, especially among children and teenagers, has further intensified these problems, as constant comparison, online judgement and digital pressure shape negative self-perceptions. Therefore, it is crucial to educate users about the importance of cultivating positive emotions, constructive thinking and healthy subconscious patterns. In this regard, the writings of Joseph Murphy emphasise how repeated thoughts and beliefs may influence a person’s emotional state, behaviour and mental well-being. While these ideas have been widely read in popular self-help literature, many of Murphy’s claims are not supported by mainstream scientific evidence. Contemporary psychology recognises that repeated thoughts and learned patterns can influence behaviour and emotions but the mechanisms are more complex. According to Murphy, when you fill your conscious mind with perceived obstacles, impediments and delays, you limit the ability of your subconscious mind to help resolve problems. He argued that dwelling on negative thoughts could contribute to mental and emotional strain, which, over time, may affect overall well-being.

putting the lives of teenagers and adults at risk, negatively affecting societal well-being. – AMIRUL SYAFIQ THESUN

their overall mental well-being. In conclusion, cultivating positive and constructive thinking can strengthen emotional resilience, support mental well-being and encourage healthier behaviours. It is never too late to nurture these habits in ourselves and future generations. As leadership author Robin Sharma observed: “What you focus on grows, what you think about expands and what you dwell upon determines your destiny.” Dr Ariyanti Mustapha is a senior lecturer at the Department of Fiqh-Usul and Applied Sciences, Academy of Islamic Studies, Universiti Malaya. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com

Similarly, repeatedly telling yourself, “There is no way out. I am lost. There is no solution to this dilemma. I am blocked“, can reinforce feelings of helplessness and make it more difficult to identify constructive solutions. Murphy summarised this idea with the phrase: “Think good, and good follows. Think evil, and evil follows. You are what you think.” From a psychological perspective, persistent expectations of failure, despair and a bleak future can undermine motivation, erode resilience and reduce a person’s willingness to pursue meaningful goals. Conversely, cultivating realistic optimism and a constructive mindset can help individuals cope more effectively with challenges and improve