Interview with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad

Former Prime Minister of Malaysia, Honorary President of the Perdana Leadership Foundation and blogger (“Che Det”)

Biography:

Tun Dr Mahathir is an iconic figure in Malaysian politics. A well-loved and respected medical practitioner, Tun Dr Mahathir was a champion of the impoverished rural Malays of his home state of Kedah. After the publication of his book ‘The Malay Dilemma’ Tun Dr Mahathir was arrested and spent time as a political prisoner. Eventually he rehabilitated himself, and his talent and tenacity soon saw him ascending the political ladder. Eventually he became Prime Minister.

As Prime Minister for over twenty years (1981 to 2003), he led Malaysia’s development as one of the tiger economies of South East Asia, encouraging Malaysia to become one of the technological and industrial powerhouses of South East Asia. During his prime ministership, he championed major infrastructure projects that put Malaysia on the world stage, including the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC), and the Petronas Twin Towers. Tun Dr Mahathir saw Malaysia through the 1997 Asian economic crisis, rejecting IMF and World Bank advice, yet guiding Malaysia through this difficult time deftly, allowing Malaysia to emerge from the shock of the crisis arguably quicker than other tiger economies.

Tun Dr Mahathir’s legacy is not without its controversies, including his sacking and the subsequent prosecution of his deputy, Anwar Ibrahim on sodomy charges, and alleged interference with the judicial process and the independence of the judiciary. Some critics of his policies note the control of media and dissent, the use of the ISA laws to detain opponents and racial segregation that grew during Tun Dr Mahathir’s term in office. He also had a controversial approach to international relations, quarrelling with a number of Western nations and their leaders, but also developing a notable leadership role among developing nations and Muslim majority nations.

Less contentious is the general acceptance and acknowledgement of Tun Dr Mahathir’s vision of putting Malaysia on the world map. As prime minister, Tun Dr Mahathir presided over numerous mega projects that attracted the attention of the international media.

A true visionary, Tun Dr Mahathir guaranteed against any censorship of the Internet, a decision he made to attract foreign investors to the Multimedia Super Corridor and help propel Malaysia into the information age. Thanks to Tun Dr Mahathir’s vision, today, Malaysians enjoy unprecedented Internet freedom, and Malaysians are arguably the most advanced users of New Media in politics.

Since retiring from politics, Tun Dr Mahathir still maintains a significant leadership role in Malaysia and is still highly admired by many ordinary Malaysians. Tun Dr Mahathir is the honorary president of the Perdana Leadership Foundation, dedicated to preserving the wisdom of past Prime Ministers of Malaysia. He started his web log (‘blog’) in May 2008 under the pen name “Che Det”, which allows him continuing access to the political, cultural and social debate in Malaysia, and he has so far received over 20 million visitors.

Edited Interview with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, 22 June 2009