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Mahthir
Not Bothered to Be Libeled "Dictator" by Western Media
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Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad |
By
Kazi Mahmood, IOL South East Asia Correspondent
KUALA
LUMPUR, July 9 (IslamOnline) - Malaysia's Prime Minister said being
labeled a “dictator” by the Western media does not bother him,
Bernama news agency reported on Tuesday.
Mahathir
Mohammad`` said as long as he could help develop the country and make
the world respect Malaysia, he said he did not mind being called a
dictator.
“I
am a dictator who has been elected, not once, but five times. And I am
the only dictator who has resigned before his time (is up).
“If
they want to call me a dictator, that is okay. I think it is an
honor,” Mahathir (who is also a doctor) said, tongue in cheek, when
opening the 10th general assembly of local political party in Kucing,
Sarawak, on the Island of Borneo.
He
said the important thing was that “we have to develop the country
and make people respect us.” Bernama said.
Mahathir
has in the past resented being called a dictator but added that if he
was one, he would be a "good dictator".
Several
western newspapers has tagged Mahathir a dictator following the
downfall of General Suharto in Indonesia and the beginning of the
local version of "reformasi" (Reforms) in Malaysia in 1998.
The
jailing of former Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his highly
trumpeted court cases were called a judiciary fiasco that made
Malaysia look like a banana republic, western reports said.
In
the same breath, the news reports termed Mahathir a dictator, alleging
that his party was also involved in nepotism. Mahathir denied all the
accusations, portraying Malaysia as a free and open country on the
contrary.
On
Monday, Mahathir said the country’s rapid development, peace,
prosperity and harmonious life enjoyed by the various races were the
greatest rewards for the nation’s leaders.
He
praised the people for their efforts to keep the country peaceful and
for working hand in hand to develop Malaysia, in a speech that made
him look like an out going Prime Minister for the first time.
Dr
Mahathir said that, unlike previously, many people in the world now
know where Malaysia was and the country had developed much over a
short span.
“Malaysians
have a lot to be thankful for. Ours is a multi-racial country that is
peaceful and happy.
“In
Malaysia, we are safe wherever we go. We have to give our love to this
country," he said as reported by Bernama.
Mahathir
also criticized the Party Islam Se Malaysia (PAS) for teaching people
to be ungrateful to the National Front coalition government in power
and for not being thankful for what was given to the people.
Mahathir
has altogether ruled out the possibility of taking up any job in
international organizations after he retires as Prime Minister in
October next year.
“I
am retiring. I am 77 and I don’t think I would like to take up a new
job.
“My
job will be to sit at home and try to help the party (Umno) and the
Government if they want me to do something,” he said.
Reporters
asked him if he would take over the leadership of the Organization of
Islamic Countries (OIC) if offered, the Prime Minister replied: “No,
no, no. I have no capacity to do that. (I am) not competent.”
Dr
Mahathir said that when Tunku Abdul Rahman retired as OIC
secretary-general, the latter was a much younger man than him.
He
said he would continue to give talks or lectures after his retirement
if he was invited, as it would be “fun”.
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