The ‘other’ interview

Maybe James Franco and Seth Rogen will have a sequel.

The difference between a good leader and a transformational leader is the latter’s openness to being challenged, as they get a chance to showcase their talent, thinking and tasks.

Such leaders provide insights whilst rest of us just provide hindsights.

Such leaders see the what’s on the other side of the mountain, whilst the rest of us just see the hiking trail.

When you speak to such leaders, you can actually “see their minds working in real time!”

Now, having worked on the non-journalist side at Dow Jones, publisher of The Wall Street Journal, and Thomson Reuters, you learn about what is not editorial newsworthy.

For example, press releases on winning awards (Islamic finance), speaking at an event (Islamic finance), opening an (Islamic bank) bank branch, launching an (Islamic) product, etc, are generally not newsworthy for likes of Financial Times, International Herald Tribune, WSJ, etc.

Thus, if a talk show was in my horizon, Zilzar Trending, I would ask the following questions from the below-mentioned people and provided (my version of) an answer.

Two underlying assumptions of such leaders, they (1) have a sense of humour and (2) have enough confidence in themselves to make fun of themselves.

Some people I cannot meet, as dead, some I have met and others I hope to meet.

The purpose is not only get insights to their thinking, but also raise issues that never reach them because of their gatekeepers, who may not understand, not “get it”, can’t be bothered, or act as toll collectors to pass through. Thus, “access or lack of it to leaders” is what makes for an inclusive populace.

OIC leaders

Sh. Mohammad Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai, Dubai Inc. is a global brand, led by likes of Emirates Airlines, Burj Khalifa, Palm Jumeriah, etc, the Muslim world is looking for leadership, what are the immediate to long-term lessons for the Muslim countries from Dubai’s success? Put differently, what are the top five things the Muslim world needs to do immediately?

Possible answer: hire world-class talent and pay them world-class rates. Chinese proverb: "If you pay peanuts, you get monkeys.”

Dr Ahmad Mohamed Ali Al-Madani, first and only president Islamic Development Bank (IDB), why does it take so long to get approval for submissions from outside the bank?

Is a successor been identified? There is much chatter about an Islamic bank for the Muslim countries, then what is the purpose of the IDB?

What is the IDB doing for risk/venture capital for the financially excluded Muslim youth in OIC?

Possible answer: the triple A rating is very important for the bank. Yes, we must undertake a study of what the youth want and what they need.

Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan. Pakistan is a country with great potential because of resources, location, people, how are you leading the country as prime minister for the second time?

For example, why not offer Malala Yousafzai, education activist for women and youngest Noble Peace laureate, a portfolio of Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office for girl’s education?

Possible answer: she will be good for the country, for women’s education and need of the hour. She may be Benazir (Bhutto) in the making for the greater good of the country.

Furthermore, India exports significantly more halal food than Pakistan to places like GCC and Malaysia, how long will this continue?

Possible answer: let's talk to Modi.

Narendra Modi, 15th prime minister of India. The path to the Noble Peace prize is financial inclusion, empowerment and enfranchisement of the oppressed minorities in India, be it Muslims or untouchable Hindus, why not leave such a legacy behind and spark the process to address their enfranchisement?

There are lessons from President Barack Obama’s Noble.

Possible answer: please talk to my social media team. On halal and Pakistan, increasing the banning of beef slaughter in India, now by government of Maharashtra, should help them.

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, fourth prime minister of Malaysia. You have been a shadow prime minister since leaving office, for both successive prime ministers, Tun Abdullah Badawi and Datuk Seri Najib Razak, this has caused more problems than provided solutions, why not keep yourself busy and set up a foundation like the (Muslim country version of) Clinton Global Initiative and work on a global stage? Should not a transparent process, checks and balance, be in place that ensures accountability?

Possible answer: yes, possible, but as long as funding is not from George Soros.

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, former deputy prime minister of Malaysia under Dr Mahathir, what are your top five regrets and achievements?

Possible answer: not becoming prime minister even though I had the most popular votes.

Sultan of Brunei, with your financial resources, you have the opportunity to, say, inorganically build a “Nestle” from the Muslim world to lead the Muslim world, especially with new “conservative” orientation, why aren’t your advisers blueprinting the opportunity?

Possible answer: Brunei's halal brand needs fresh thinking for growth and expansion, hence, bypass the gatekeepers and come and share your ideas.

Joko Widodo, President of Indonesia. Your country along with Turkey and Saudi Arabia, are part of the G20 countries, but their GDP is a little bit more (25%) than the market capitalisation of Apple, how can Indonesia establish and lead the Islamic digital economy and add to the GDP building and diversification?

Possible answer: we have the population and demographics to be the China of the Muslim world and lead via electronic inclusion.

Al Waleed Talal. Saudi investor and member of the royal family, your vision has been years ahead of many global investors, be it your investments in Citibank or Twitter.

Today, the Muslim wants to reduce brain drain (its future) and capital flight (financing the future), and needs to create a true enabling infrastructure and environment for invention and innovation, what would you suggest?

The new silk road of innovation needs to re-start from Medina and continue to Jakarta, how do you leave such a legacy behind, beyond donating your wealth to charity?

Possible answer: the virtual silk road is not only possible, but should be blue-printed connecting all the Muslim country capitals for investment and trade, including e-commerce.

Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, sixth President of Egypt. The Egyptian power of force, be it military or religious interpretation (Muslim Brotherhood), have been revolving door politics without meaningful benefits flowing to those at the bottom (of the pyramid), are you listening to only to your advisers, those with vested interests, or the Egyptian people?

Possible answer: we must listen to learn and phase it in via public/private approach.

King Salman Abdulaziz al Saud of Saudi Arabia. You have shaken the established order since becoming king by removing established royals, i.e., addition by subtraction.

To build for the future of the country, it cannot be done by decree. It will be led by the young generation that is socially connected and faith inspired, they want a say in their future, how will you enfranchise them?

Furthermore, the future must involve the young of today, especially the girls/women.

For example, in allowing women to drive, it will send volumes of messages to the world and will more than off-set the vocal but minor voices opposing it.

Possible answer: yes, fresh thinking is needed that put the people first, and, on women driving, it merits a driving test on how best to phase it in.

Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Emir of Kuwait. Post-Gulf Wars, not much news is seen/heard in the Western markets about the country. Kuwait has a rich history of commerce and trade, yet it’s not a global player, especially with its large sovereign wealth fund, unlike UAE’s ADIA or Qatar’s QIA.

Purchasing trophy assets overseas may not provide a country ROI, hence, what are there plans to make Kuwait the hub for Venture Capital of the Middle East?

Possible answer: It should be considered as addresses a problem and fills a gap for young people, especially inclined towards Islamic VC with success of Kuwait Finance House.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, former prime minister and now President of Turkey. What have you/AKP gained as a result with the fight against Fethullah Gulen and Twitter?

Are not the principles of Islam, foundation of AKP, about inclusion, why not tolerate dissent and opportunity for opposition to be heard?

Possible answer: yes, but no comment today. Interview is over!

Muslim Country Crown Prince Club. As western educated and internationally oriented leaders in the wait to serve the people, what are some of the challenges to diversify your economies (from natural resource bias), provide education, healthcare, and risk capital to the youth for entrepreneurship, and elevate the importance of women (as you all have mothers, sisters and wives)?

Possible answer: our beloved leaders have planned for the future, and we will execute those plans as leaders at the right time.

Saddam Hussain and Muammar Gaddafi. Both of you could have kept your billions and families and gotten safe haven in third countries, like Ben Ali (Tunisia), Idi Amin of Uganda, Shah of Iran and even Marcos of Philippines, why didn’t you? Ego?

Possible answer: fear as created many enemies over the years.

Non-OIC

Bill Clinton and George Bush. American politics has become more about family names, much like the Bhutto name in Pakistan and Gandhi in India, as both your wife and brother are running for the presidency in 2016.

Has the time arrived for the Clintons and Bushes to step aside, may be for a generation, and allow fresh faces and ideas for the 300million American people?

Possible answer: no, as no brand names out there to carry the weight of the party, Democratic/Republican, forward. Furthermore, “spotlight issue, right Bill”, comment by George.

Tony Blair, former Prime Minister of UK and former peace envoy to the Middle East. Did you do anything meaningful for the Middle East peace process?

Possible answer: my hands were tied but the spotlight was good, as Middle East is like a “riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma”, Winston Churchill describing Russia.

Christine Lagarde, former minister of Economic Affairs of France and championing Islamic finance in France, but now, managing director of the IMF.

What happened to Islamic finance in France after you left for the IMF? The hijab hysteria has choked Islamic finance in France!

Possible answer: process for a complete financial centre must be delinked from politics and personalities.

Bill Gates, what advice do you give Muslim billionaires?

Possible answer: cannot take it with you and cannot spend in a life time, so give it away, as the gift of giving keeps on giving.

Mother Theresa, you did not get the proper recognition and send off as Princess Diana also died in same time period, you did things without photo ops! You moved mountains with your kindness and sacrifice! Thank you and may the Creator always bless the legacy of your work.

What is your advice to the unhappy wealthy?

Possible answer: donating, includes your time, is the best therapy.

Nelson Mandela, your past beliefs and actions landed you in jail (Robben Island), what would have been your advice to lone-wolfs, underground and extremist groups of today?

Possible answer: one cannot shake hands with a closed fist.

Who would you like to interview, and what would you ask? – July 22, 2015.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.