COMMENT | We do not get to choose who to lead us in a crisis. The United States did not choose Donald Trump who called coronavirus a “hoax”; Brazil did not choose Jair Bolsonaro who called the virus a “fantasy”; Mexico did not choose Andres Lopez Obrador, who continued to kiss and hug supporters at the height of the global pandemic.

We did not choose Adham Baba. In fact, we did not even choose this government.

Although most politicians would love to emerge as the country’s hero and saviour in a crisis, they are often “uniquely ill-suited to lead”. They are especially worse in a public health crisis that requires an objective, scientific and level-headed approach in decision-making.

In contrast, a professional civil servant like Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, who has the tripartite qualities of service, objectivity and empathy, is the type of leader our country needs.

In a crisis, the most important thing to do is to put the nation’s interest above any personal and political interest. The crisis is not a time for political bickering to gain brownie points or amass popular support. It is a time to make the right decision that will save lives and not make decisions so that others would vote for you...