INTERVIEW | After relinquishing the prime minister's post in 2003, which he held for more than two decades, Dr Mahathir Mohamad returned to active politics to lead the Pakatan Harapan coalition to a historic victory in last year's general election.
In a special media interview held in conjunction with the Harapan administration's first anniversary, the 93-year-old medical doctor-turned-politician spoke about his second coming as prime minister.
Mahathir conceded that Malaysians have mixed feelings about his leadership, with some even wishing for his demise. He attributed the negative perception to possible misunderstandings.
"There must be people who are against me, some people who are dead against me, who wish that I am dead. There are (also) people who shake my hand and smile, (also) people who say 'I love you'," he added.
Mahathir, whose detractors branded him a "dictator" during his previous tenure, saw his approval rating reach a high of 83 percent after the last general election.
However, this dipped to 46 percent by March this year, according to independent pollster Merdeka Center.
The trust deficit was attributed to Harapan flip-flopping on policies, failure to fulfil its election promises and poor communication.
According to Mahathir, dialogue sessions are the best mode of communicating government policies. The prime minister revealed that he has met with at least 50 groups and opinion-shapers.
"Without such meetings, there is no way to explain. We cannot merely depend on reports to convey our messages," he said.
Citing an example, Mahathir recalled how a civil servant complained that the government had not helped farmers impacted by the plunging price of palm oil.
He said the reason for this was that the government faced problems in moving proposals for alternative crops and joint agricultural land to smallholders and petty farmers.
"I met civil servants in Perak. One of them complained we have done nothing to help the farmers after palm oil prices plunged. I had to explain that we have been doing the wrong things all the time, that is why they are in trouble," he added.
He said some oil palm smallholders wanted to become millionaires with just two acres of land, which would not happen. When the government proposed the joint agricultural land and other ideas on modern farming, Mahathir said, the farmers were not receptive.
"(They said) 'No, this is my money. I inherited from my great-grandfather and all that, we can't change'. So, selling the idea is a problem... we have many ideas about how to change, but it will take time," he added.
On his administration being criticised for its inability to tackle the cost of living issue, Mahathir said the government was focused on increasing purchasing power as the ringgit was undervalued.
"Prices sometimes go up due to middlemen. We want to reduce their margin of profit. I think given time, prices may not go down, but what we have to do is increase the purchasing power of your ringgit," he said.
"There are many ways to approach these problems, not just giving money (cash handouts) to them (the people)."
Mahathir also admitted that the government was in a Catch-22 situation with regard to race and religion.
"We have to make sure everybody is more or less satisfied... we talk a lot about unity and being Malaysian but everybody talks about his own race and ministers who want the support of their race must raise the issue," he added.
Mahathir declined to rate himself, arguing that it is the people who should judge his performance as prime minister. However, he is confident that he is better than US President Donald Trump and certain leaders in European countries.
"I feel as strong as I could be at the age of 93. Not many who reach this age can even think, but I am able to answer your (media's) nasty questions.
"As far as I am concerned, I don't think I am worse than Trump. I don't think I am worse than the British leader, French leader who has to deal with the 'Yellow Shirt' (movement) and the Spanish leader who has to deal with secession," Mahathir said. - Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.