Dr Mahathir Mohamad
Former Malaysian Prime Minister
About The Speaker
Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad is the former Prime Minister of Malaysia (1981 – 2003). He is credited with turning Malaysia from an agricultural nation to an industralised economy, at the same time elevating Malaysia’s position as the 17th biggest trading nation in the world.
A successful medical doctor in his hometown Alor Setar, he became active in the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), Malaysia's largest political party, before entering parliament in 1964. By 1976, he had risen to Deputy Prime Minister, and in 1981 was sworn in as Prime Minister.
Under Dr Mahathir’s leadership, Malaysia played a prominent role in the international arena. He was a dominant political figure, winning five consecutive general elections. He was also an advocate of third-world development and a prominent international activist for causes such as the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa and the interests of Bosnians in the 1990s Balkans conflict.
Following his retirement as Prime Minister, Dr Mahathir was conferred his nation’s highest award, Seri Maharaja Mangku Negara. He currently serves as an advisor to four Malaysia government entities and retains a prominent role in the international arena. Dr Mahathir is also the author of several books and articles touching on various issues such as Globalization, Role of Islam and Muslim Ummah, Malaysian Currency Crises, to name a few. He recently published a new book on 8 March 2011 entitled ‘A Doctor in The House – The Memoirs of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, detailing his life and political career over the past 85 years.
Asian Leadership
10 October 2004
When Governments are weak, even good leaders cannot produce results.
In his first public address since stepping down as Malaysian Prime Minister, Dr Mahathir Mohamad shared a withering view of Asian governments, chastising the leaders for losing their self-respect by conforming and kowtowing to the West. Asian leaders need to recognize that although democracy is still the best form of government, there is no guarantee that it will throw up good leaders. He believed that Asians are waiting for a credible leader from a credible nation, after a long period of physical and mental colonization.
Media Coverage
Same principles, different styles
At SMU’s second Ho Rih Hwa Leadership in Asia Public Lecture, distinguished speaker Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed touched on the outstanding bilateral issues between Singapore and Malaysia, glad that they have been relegated to the background. Berita Harian
Mahathir: No chance for Anwar to make a come back
Dr Mahathir said Anwar Ibrahim is a homosexual and there is no chance for him to stage a come back. The statement was made during a lecture on Asia leadership that he delivered at the Ho Rih Hwa Leadership in Asia Public lecture series, organised by SMU. Lianhe Zaobao
‘Asian leaders too Euro-centric’
At SMU’s second Ho Rih Hwa Leadership in Asia Public Lecture yesterday, distinguished speaker Tun Dr Mahatir Mohamed called on Asian leaders to 'assert true leadership' or ‘face contempt of their own people’. Streats
Dr M: West has colonised Asian leaders' minds
Asia’s leaders have allowed the West to colonise their minds and remain beholden to Europeans, former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad charged in a speech here yesterday at SMU's Ho Rih Hwa Public Lecture. The Straits Times
Anwar's political future blackened : Mahathir
At SMU’s second Ho Rih Hwa Leadership in Asia Public Lecture yesterday, Retired Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad launched a scathing attack on his former deputy Anwar Ibrahim, rubbishing his one-time protege's chances of a comeback "because he was homosexual". The Business Times
Dr M came, he spoke, he charmed
Malaysian Prime Minister, Dr Mahathir Mohamad brought with him a withering view of Asian governments, chastising the leaders for losing their self-respect by conforming and kowtowing to the West, here, yesterday at SMU's Ho Rih Hwa Public Lecture. TODAY