Societies require leaders.

In December 2015, my family and I went on holiday to South Africa.

IT WAS December 2014, and I was on holiday with my family in Sri Lanka.

AFTER my last column, I was asked by friends and colleagues how can Pakatan Harapan turn its political fortunes around.

SO MUCH has happened in the past couple of weeks that there is only one certainty in Malaysian politics – nothing is certain.

I MUST say, like most Malaysians, I'm relieved we are enjoying a respite from the haze and smog that engulfed our skies over the past couple of weeks.

IT HAS been a whirlwind September for most Malaysians. We have had three long weekends in a row, celebrated the coronation of our much-beloved King, followed by Malaysia Day and grappling with the haze situation once again, which only going to get worse – according to the experts.

Some months before the last general election, I attended an intimate dialogue organised by a friend who is also a public policy specialist.

If the past couple of weeks are anything to go by, then we have a real reason to worry about the state of our nation.

As I write this column, I am travelling on a train from Paris to Amsterdam. One of the things I enjoy the most in my post-political life is being to travel freely without having to worry about a phone call with a complaint that a house has burnt down or there is a flood somewhere.

I AM often asked why I went into politics.

Many Malaysians, me included, expected a more consultative and cooperative form of government as Pakatan Harapan (Pakatan) dislodged Barisan Nasional (Barisan) – one that would give equal importance to form and substances and exercise its vast powers with restraint and in the best interests of Malaysians.