Little Napoleons: A Growing Threat to Democratic Governance

 

The term "Little Napoleon" was coined by Malaysia’s fifth Prime Minister, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (Pak Lah), to describe civil servants who mirror the arrogance, self-importance, and power-hungry tendencies of the 18th-century French emperor, Napoleon Bonaparte. Initially used to critique lower-level bureaucrats, the term now applies to a broader, more alarming trend where senior officials, including heads of departments, exhibit behaviors that undermine the principles of democracy and public service.

Specific instances highlight this pervasive issue. For example, the general manager of Lembaga Pembangunan Perumahan dan Bandar (LPPB) has consistently ignored multiple emails over the years, displaying sheer arrogance. This official has yet to clarify whether she personally instructed the legal firm Ronny Cham and Co. to file a RM2,000,000 lawsuit against me, leaving serious questions about transparency and accountability unanswered. LINK  Link 

Similarly, officers at Dewan Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu (DBKK) have failed to respond to over a hundred emails, further exemplifying bureaucratic hubris. The directors of the Land and Survey Department (Jabatan Tanah dan Ukur, LJS) have also refused to release the spot level survey conducted in June 2023, withholding critical information without justification. Such actions reflect a blatant disregard for the public’s right to access information. LINK

More troubling still is the director general of DBKK, who has misrepresented discussions from meetings, distorting facts and eroding trust in governance. This behavior is not merely an inconvenience but a direct affront to the fundamental principles of democracy, which demand transparency, accountability, and truthfulness from public officials. LINK

Perhaps most egregious is the director of the Land and Survey Department, who, when faced with simple questions that could have been easily addressed, dismissively instructed me to take the matter to court. This response not only sidesteps responsibility but also places an undue burden on citizens to seek justice through costly and protracted legal processes. LINK

When Pak Lah introduced the term "Little Napoleon," he was referring to petty, power-hungry bureaucrats at lower levels of government. However, the phenomenon has evolved into something far more dangerous. These "Little Napoleons" now occupy senior positions, including heads of departments, wielding significant influence and undermining the democratic framework. Their actions are not just insulting but represent an outright rejection of the principle that the people are the true masters in a democratic system.

These officials have lost sight of the meaning of "civil" in civil service, forgetting that they are public servants whose salaries are funded by taxpayer money. Their refusal to engage with the public, provide answers, or uphold transparency violates the social contract between the government and its citizens. This growing culture of arrogance and unaccountability threatens the integrity of Malaysia’s democratic institutions and erodes public confidence in governance.

To address this issue, systemic reforms are needed, including stronger oversight mechanisms, mandatory training on public service ethics, and stricter penalties for officials who abuse their authority. Without such measures, the rise of "Little Napoleons" risks further entrenching a culture of impunity that undermines Malaysia’s democratic ideals.