We are mystified by Trump's policies, says PM

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said Malaysia will learn to deal with the US but is currently waiting for US President Donald Trump to fix a recognisable policy.

At a press conference in Tokyo, Japan today, Mahathir was asked about his opinion on the US' role in the world order, to which he expressed his appreciation for the US as a rich and powerful country.

"We have to learn to understand the US as much as we want the US to understand us, but currently, we are mystified by the policies followed by Mr Trump.

"We don't know whether he's going East or West, North or South at any given time.

"So, we will wait for him to settle down and really fix a recognisable policy for the US."

Meanwhile, Mahathir praised Japan's strong sense of shame that he believes to have aided its growth towards the world's second-largest economy following the Second World War.

"It was Japan that inspired me to formulate the Look East policy.

"You have such a strong sense of shame that you want to achieve the best possible so that you will not be shamed by anybody.

"And that contributed much towards the quality and speed with which you do things, and the ability for you to grow your country and compete with the rest of the world."

The Look East policy was first announced by Mahathir in his first tenure as PM in 1981. At the time, the policy was intended to orient Malaysians with Japanese ethics of discipline and thoughtfulness.

Mahathir was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the 24th Nikkei Conference.

This is his first visit to a foreign country since being sworn-in as prime minister on May 10. - Mkini