Wong Nai Chee and Joan Lai share similar view on Najib’s extraordinary EQ and thriving under pressure

By Yu Mi Ye and Li Bing Hui

Sin Chew Daily, 20 February, 2016

(Selangor, Petaling Jaya 19 Feb, 2016) Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid has described Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib as a person who is “extremely patient”. Najib’s political secretary Wong Nai Chee and press secretary Joan Lai share similar view. They both praise the extraordinary EQ of Prime Minister, his disregard of trivial matters and his resilience in thriving under pressure.

Wong describes Najib as mild mannered who never berates his subordinate in a strong voice.

Wong, who has worked with the Prime Minister for more than four years, is familiar with the latter’s character. He is able to work with the Prime Minister in a harmonious manner. Wong has never seen Najib losing his cool without valid reason or reprimand subordinates strongly.

Wong Nai Chee: Never loses his cool

In conjunction with Najib’s 40th year anniversary in politics, Wong, press secretary Joan Lai, driver, bodyguard and others were interviewed by Sin Chew Daily. They share details and sentiment on working with the Prime Minister. Wong was a former Kota Melaka MP under MCA. He was appointed as the political secretary of the Prime Minister since Dec 1, 2011.

“If the Prime Minister is not satisfied with you or his subordinate’s performance, at the most he gives you an unhappy look, then ask: Why are you doing this?”

Remaining calm despite facing pressure

“If the Prime Minister says ‘Why are you doing this’, you know he is actually upset. To him this is already a strong remark.”

“When colleagues, political secretaries, press secretaries in Prime Minister’s Office are discussing issues or briefing him on negative news on the government or economy, he would listen carefully in a serious manner. Then he would gather views from subordinates. If he does not agree nor rejects views and feedback of his subordinates, he would not criticise you directly.

Instead he would offer suggestion and explanation why he rejects the view.

“Everyone would have his feelings. The Prime Minister is not an emotional person. Since the revelation of 1MDB and RM2.6 billion political fund issues, I believe the Prime Minister is under some form of pressure. But he maintains his emotion. He is a person who can control his emotion and extremely resilient.”

Wong is of the view that the Prime Minister does not easily lose his cool. But when he is angry his face is red and he would be impatient. On many occasions he remains silent.

Accommodating, gentle and mild-mannered

He describes the Prime Minister as someone accommodating, gentle and mild- mannered, entirely different from the dominant Dr Mahathir, a former Prime Minister.

“Najib would not bully others. He handles political issues through negotiation. Right from the day he joins politics until now, he does not leave his opponent no room. He would only fight back when he is pushed to a corner.

“The Prime Minister has many friends in politics. Some carry out extremist affairs using his name. The Prime Minister does not order his officers to handle such matter immediately. Instead he would observe for some time before taking action.”

Joan Lai: Disregard trivial matters, Najib mingles with subordinates in a friendly manner

Prime Minister’s press secretary Joan Lai says the Prime Minister would mingle with his subordinates outside the office. He jokes with staff, disregards trivial matters and mingle with them easily.

However, the Prime Minister is more serious in the office. He has expectations of his staff. But whenever he bumps into his staff, he would smile and nod his head.

“Occasionally we have gatherings in the office. Prime Minister would find time to join and mingle with his subordinates.”

English and diplomatic skills are both strong

Lai was formerly a deputy editor-in-chief of Nanyang Siang Pau. She was the press secretary of the Prime Minister from 16 September 2009 till now. She said this when interviewed by Sin Chew Daily.

She said the Prime Minister used to tell them “my days are becoming longer than nights” due to heavy work load. He does not have much time to sleep.

“The Prime Minister has very strong diplomatic skills with unique personal charisma. His English is strong. Since assuming the position, diplomatic ties with Singapore, China, United States and England have been upgraded. British Prime Minister has visited Malaysia twice, so does United States president Obama.”

Currently the Prime Minister has a total of five press secretaries. Apart from routine work, they take turn to follow the Prime Minister on official visits to liaise with media.

Pressure originates from work instead of being ticked off

She admits that working with the Prime Minister places one under enormous pressure. The pressure comes from Prime Minister’s expectation on them instead of being ticked off by the Prime Minister.

“The Prime Minister has high EQ. When he is not happy with the work performance of his subordinates, he would not reprimand the subordinates loudly. He would be serious in his looks. You would know when you notice the change.”

Shahlan Ismail praises Najib above all after following the latter for 21 years

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib’s political secretary Datuk Shahlan Ismail has been with Najib since the latter was the Education Minister in 1995. He has served 21 years. When talking about his boss, Shahlan is praising him non-stop. In his eyes, Najib stands out among the rest.

He can never forget when they first met where Najib stunned him. He recalled: “I would never forget when reporting to work on the first day. He stood up to shake hand with me. When the discussion is over, he opened the door for me to send me off. From then I know he is an unusual person. He comes from a stunning family background while I am only an ordinary man. His act has moved me.”

Never doubt his subordinates

Shahlan says Najib is patient, cautious with his words and possess high EQ. He says: “As a leader, he is never upset with his subordinates. He speaks in a low voice. His words are said after much thought to avoid misunderstanding. His instruction is always clear. He would not forget sending his wishes and gifts to his subordinates on festive seasons.”

He praises Najib as a good boss who never suspects his staff. He says: “Apart from never say no to people, he trusts his staff completely and believe in our capabilities. He has 100% faith in us that we would use our wisdom to resolve whatever tasked given to us. He would also deliver each of his promise to others. He is a very responsible person.”

He says despite Najib is easy-going in his approach, he turns serious when he is working. He says: “Najib is serious in his work and a punctual man. In private he is easy going and loves English jokes.”

On a memorable moment in his 21 years with Najib, Shahlan said when Najib was the Education Minister, there was once when returned to Subang airport from Sabah. The driver was in KL International Airport due to miscommunication. Without much fuss Najib took a lift from him to go home. He was honoured to be Najib’s “temporary driver.”

“I still remember that I was driving a proton saga then. The plate number was NAC8939. Najib automatically took the front seat next to me while the bodyguard was seated at the back. His easy going style has impressed me.”

In private, he says Najib would use his finger to make a sound when he is happy. Occasionally Najib would enjoy cigar at home. He loves pet and keep cat at home.

Buy toy for the son as a loving father

Shahlan says Najib is a loving father at home. Once he accompanied Najib to Fukuoka in Japan. Najib made good use of the 30 minutes that he had to buy an Ultraman toy for his youngest son Nor Azman (Jiping) in a shopping mall.

“He does not ask others to buy for him as this was a promise between a father and a son. Once he promised his son he would deliver it and ensured that the toy he bought was the one that his son wanted.”

Shahlan says he hopes Prime Minister Najib would continue to work on 1Malaysia’s ideal in future, for Malaysians at large regardless of race, religion and background.

Boss cares about subordinates, says Alias, Najib’s bodyguard of 26 years

Alias, 58, says he has been Najib’s bodyguard for 26 years since 1990. He sees Najib as a good boss who cares for his subordinates, well-mannered and friendly, he is also very patient.
“Each time before taking his meal, he would ask if we have taken ours. He would never let us starve. I remember on few occasions when I was not feeling well, he would request me to see a doctor and perform a health check-up. He cares for his subordinates.”

He would not forget the day when MH17 met with a disaster in 2014. Bodyguards have gone home after sending Najib back to his residence. Bodyguards were recalled in for emergency at midnight after the disaster took place. He worked non-stop for MH17. He said: “Najib is a workaholic. He serves and sacrifices for the job.”

Former driver Mohamad Nor: The best boss in the world

Mohamad Nor, 67, a former driver who has since retired, was once Najib’s driver for 20 years. When talking about his former boss, he said Najib is the “best boss in the world” that he has met.

House was damaged, granted leave with repair costs

He said he became Najib’s driver in 1991 when Najib was the Defence Minister, he thought he was working for one to two months on a trial basis when he was told that he would be driving Najib. But his job was extended even after reaching retirement age of 55 in 2005. He retired in April 2011.

“I remembered my neighbour’s roof collapsed during a thunderstorm in a year where my house was affected. I had to apply for emergency leave to settle. Najib approved the leave without much words. The next day when I returned to work he took the trouble to check on me and even gave me money as repair costs. I was moved.”

Najib also has good relations with his family members. Apart from receiving an outstanding award from Najib in 1991, Najib also attended his daughter’s wedding with his wife.

He is most grateful that Najib has extended a helping hand when his daughter was entering university to pursue her studies. His four children were able to graduate from local universities. He said: “I am thankful to him. He has given me and my family great help in this 20 years. He is the best boss in the world.”