SINGAPORE : Former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamed
thinks Asians are waiting for a credible leader from a credible
nation.
Dr Mahathir was speaking at the 2nd Leadership in Asia lecture
organised by the Singapore Management University.
Mr Ho Kwon Ping, Chairman of SMU, said: "Dr Mahathir has surely
never been called a follower. He has always led by example and from
the front, and in blunt straight-forward language."
And sure enough when the man himself took to the stage, he lived up
to that introduction.
In a short speech peppered with witty jibes at the West, Dr
Mahathir lamented the current state of Asian leadership.
Dr Mahathir said: "I believe that Asians are waiting for a leader,
a credible leader from a credible nation. Those who kowtow too much
to ethnic-Europeans should not be surprised if their people rise
against them and commit acts of terror or whatever.
"Asian leaders have a choice. Assume and assert true leadership,
seize the initiative in terms of ideas and thoughts, restore
self-respect or face the humiliation of foreign hegemony and the
contempt of their own people."
During an hour-long question-and-answer session that followed, many
students, professors, businessmen and former ambassadors took turns
to quiz Dr Mahathir for his views on a wide range of issues - from
democracy and leadership in Asia, to Iraq, the Muslim world and
Malaysian politics. And inevitably, the Anwar question was raised
yet again.
He was asked what will happen to Malaysian politics and democracy
now that Anwar Ibrahim is free?
Dr Mahathir said: "I have no doubt he will try to make a comeback
but it will be a futile effort. He can cause a lot of problem but
the present government will be able to handle that, I am not
worried about that, as for me, of course, I am out of the
picture."
He was also asked for his take on Singapore-Malaysia ties,
especially after Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's visit to Kuala
Lumpur.
Dr Mahathir said: "When I became Prime Minister in 1981, I
made a trip and saw Mr Lee Kuan Yew - yes it was nice initially but
we will never know what will happen later, things change, so I am
glad all the problems I created has now been relegated to the
background and I hope they will never come back."
You can watch excerpts of Dr Mahathir's speech on a Channel
NewsAsia Special on Asian Leadership this Saturday at 8
pm. - CNA