Wily Politicians and Their Ill-Judgements

Dr M Ali Hamza

The ninth vice president of Indonesia (2001-2004), Hamzah Haz was a smart politician known for his strategic manoeuvring. It was sad to hear about his passing on July 24, 2024.From newspaper journalism to teaching economics, from cabinet ministry of People’s Representative Council (DPR) to serving as a minister of investment, and from the vice presidency to the position of party’s presidential candidate in the 2004 Indonesian presidential election, Haz smartly played his cards. It is said that he adeptly navigated Indonesia’s volatile political landscape during the post-Suharto era. His ability to form alliances and his pragmatic approach to governance helped him gain influence. However, Haz’s tenure was marred by allegations of controversy over his conservative views. Despite these challenges, his political acumen allowed him to maintain a significant role in shaping Indonesia’s political dynamics during a critical period of democratic transition.

Though Haz had a reputation as a wily politician, buthis speech before Muslim clerics at Abubakar’s Solo boarding school in May 2002 is remembered as ill-judged and has attracted lot of criticism. This article is not about a criticism on Haz but to learn from recent history where shrewd politicians have made politically incorrect statements and took inappropriate decisions.

In the world of politics, strategy and cunning are often as crucial as vision and policy. While many politicians adeptly navigate the complexities of governance and public opinion, others, despite their political acumen, have made missteps that have tarnished their legacies. Here are some notable examplesof wily politicians whose ill-judged actions have had significant repercussions.

Richard Nixon, the 37th President of the United States, is perhaps the most infamous example of a shrewd politician undone by his own actions. Known for his foreign policy achievements, particularly in opening diplomatic relations with China and détente with the Soviet Union, Nixon’s presidency was ultimately marred by the Watergate scandal. The attempt to cover up a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters led to his resignation in 1974, making him the only USpresident to resign from office. Nixon’s involvement in the scandal and the subsequent cover-up was a profound misjudgement that overshadowed his political career.

David Cameron, the former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, is a prime example of a politician whose calculated risk backfired spectacularly. In 2016, Cameron called for a referendum on the UK’s membership in the European Union, confident that the vote would favour remaining in the EU. However, the result was a narrow victory for the Leave campaign, leading to Brexit. The decision to hold the referendum, intended to settle internal party divisions and political pressure, instead resulted in Cameron’s resignation and long-term uncertainty and division in the UK.

Aung San Suu Kyi, once celebrated as a symbol of peaceful resistance and democratic ideals, faced international condemnation for her handling of the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar. As the de-facto leader of Myanmar, her government was accused of ethnic cleansing against the Rohingya Muslim minority. Suu Kyi’s refusal to condemn the military’s actions and her perceived complicity significantly damaged her reputation. Her ill-judged defence of the military at the International Court of Justice in 2019 further alienated her from the global community.

Nicolas Sarkozy, the former President of France, has had his share of legal woes that have overshadowed his political career. Known for his dynamic and often divisive leadership style, Sarkozy faced multiple investigations into alleged corruption and campaign financing violations. In 2021, he was found guilty of corruption and influence peddling, receiving a three-year prison sentence, two of which were suspended. These legal issues and the decisions that led to them have severely tarnished Sarkozy’s legacy as a political leader.

Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, is another politician whose career has been overshadowed by allegations of corruption. While he has been a dominant force in Israeli politics, Netanyahu was indicted on charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust in 2019. His alleged involvement in a series of corruption scandals, including accepting expensive gifts and offering regulatory favours in exchange for favourable media coverage, has cast a long shadow over his political achievements. Netanyahu’s attempts to avoid prosecution and his divisive rhetoric have further polarized Israeli society. Moreover, his repeated decisions to launch attacks on Gaza have had profound implications, both for his political career and for Israel’s standing in the world.Netanyahu is facing political isolation and having fractures within his ruling coalitions, making governance increasingly difficult.Israeli citizens, tired of the endless cycle of violence, have staged protests and expressed their dissatisfaction with Netanyahu’s leadership. War crime allegations, human right violations, diplomatic fallout, decline in tourism, stalled negotiation, huge cost of conflict, are the results of Netanyahu worst ill-judged decision. There are critics who believe that he had paid all this price to cover-up his series of corruption scandals and to secure his political career, but in vain.

Imran Khan, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, came to power with promises of reform and anti-corruption measures. However, his tenure was marked by economic instability and poor management, culminating in a severe financial crisis. Khan’s government struggled with inflation, a burgeoning debt crisis, and an inability to secure consistent international financial support. His policies, including abrupt changes and a lack of coherent strategy, agricultural neglect, bureaucratic paralysis, suppressing political opposition, poor foreign policy, lack of substantial reforms in the education sector, mismanaged privatization, wereseen as mis judgments that undermined his political credibility.

These examples highlight the fragile nature of political power and the delicate balance between strategic political manoeuvring and disastrous mis judgments. These politicians’ ill-judged actions not only impacted their careers but also had far-reaching consequences for their countries and the international community. In the high-stakes realm of politics, even the most astute leaders can see their legacies unravel due to a single misstep. Indeed, the political world is complex, as are the personalities of politicians. Therefore, studying the darker side of wily politicians can be highly beneficial in manifolds.

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