KUALA LUMPUR: Elder statesman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (pix) not only emerged as the world’s oldest prime minister at the ripe old age of 93, but also cemented his place as a highly respected figure in leading the country and championing various causes for national and global peace and prosperity.
Since being re-elected to become Malaysia’s seventh prime minister on May 10, after the 14th General Election, Mahathir wasted no time in making his mark again on the global stage in his second coming as Malaysia’s prime minister.
He set the ball rolling on June 11 and 12 when he, in his first official trip overseas since returning to the prime minister’s post, spoke at the 24th Asian International Future Conference in Japan.
During that trip, Malaysia, through Mahathir, also sought a loan from Japan in a bid to reduce the federal government’s debt which had touched RM1 trillion.
Seventeen days later, Mahathir made a two-day official visit to Indonesia, which marked his first trip to the South-East Asian nation since becoming prime minister for the second time. It saw Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta agreeing to jointly fight to counter Europe’s negative campaign against the palm oil industry.
The main thrust of Mahathir’s message on this trip was his belief that Malaysia and Indonesia, as the main producers of the commodity, needed to work together to fight Europe’s campaign to tarnish the industry.
In Jakarta, Mahathir also broached the possibility of reviving the Malaysia-Indonesia car project for the Asean market, thereby revisiting an idea he had mooted back in February 2015 while test driving a Proton car with Indonesian President Joko Widodo seated next to him.
Despite being a nonagenarian, his kept up his relentless pace as he continued with his mission to make Malaysia noticed on the global stage when he made a five-day official visit to China aimed at further strengthening the 44-year relationship between Kuala Lumpur and Beijing.
Mahathir last visited China as a prime minister almost 17 years ago – in October 2001.
Here, it was clear to see his long-term vision when he announced that Malaysia was interested in exploring the world-renowned Alibaba group’s e-commerce technology for the benefit of Malaysians.
It was also here that Mahathir expressed his hope that the strategic joint effort between Proton and China car manufacturer Geely would be able to step up the process of producing better Proton vehicles.
Then, in September, he was off to Bandar Sri Begawan, Brunei as he made his second official visit to a South-East Asian nation after Indonesia. This too was part of his series of get-to-know you trips since returning to assume the post of prime minister.
This trip opened up the opportunity for the leaders of both countries to enhance the reciprocal relationship and cooperation that already existed apart from enabling Malaysia to put forth the government’s latest policies and stand, especially on bilateral matters.
Since the Sultan of Brunei was one of the first foreign leaders to visit him a few days after he took the oath of office as prime minister, Mahathir acknowledged that it was the right time for him to reciprocate that visit.
Mahathir then spread his wings further, making not one but two working visits to the United Kingdom – from Sept 21 to Sept 25 and from Sept 29 to Oct 1. It was his first visit to an European country since being elected prime minister a second time.
History was created when Mahathir attended the 73rd United Nations General Assembly during the break from his visit to UK. His presence at the UN this time – 15 years after his last appearance on the world stage – came against a backdrop of a different economic climate and political demographics compared to when he was the fourth prime minister.
In New York, Mahathir boldly repeated his call for the world body to be reformed. He even suggested that the veto power not be confined to just three member countries but by at least two superpowers and supported by three non-permanent members of the UN Security Council.
Mahathir, in his role as an elder statesman, also attracted the attention of various organisations in the world when he dared to slam the Myanmar government for its ethnic cleansing of Rohingyas in Rakhine, proposed that the world acknowledge Palestine and to stop Israel from flouting international laws.
In October, Mahathir visited neighbours Thailand, promising that Kuala Lumpur would provide whatever help it could to help end the vicious cycle of violence engulfing the southern territory of the country.
Malaysia is the facilitator in the peace talks between the Thai government and Majlis Syura Patani (Mara Patani) and Mahathir’s official visit proved to be the catalyst that triggered the passion and sparked a new-found zeal among the Malaysian and Thai officials to quickly restart the floundering peace process in southern Thailand.
Believe it or not, just a few days later Mahathir was back on a flight. This time he was off to Japan to receive ‘The Grand Cordon of the Order of the Paulownia Flowers’ award conferred by the Emperor of Japan.
It was Japan’s highest award and was conferred by Emperor Akihito in recognition of Mahathir’s contribution in strengthening bilateral ties.
Mahathir is the third Asian leader to be conferred the prestigious award after former Singapore prime minister the late Lee Kuan Yew and former India premier Manmohan Singh.
Mahathir also expressed his appreciation to the Japanese government for its offer to guarantee the issuance of up to ¥200 billion yen (RM7.4 billion) Samurai bond to Malaysia, with a 10-year maturity period apart from getting the cooperation of JR Kyushu Railway Company to conduct a study on the national railway system.
In early November, Mahathir was on the move again. This time he led a government delegation to the 33rd Asean Summit Conference in Singapore, which was also attended by various world leaders, before flying to Papua New Guinea for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit Conference.
That’s eight countries in seven months!
This, though, is just the start as Mahathir will surely seek to explore more diplomatic ties next year. — Bernama
