But, Dr Mahathir in the same political mould as Trump or Duterte? And, in his economic nationalism, Dr Mahathir’s international kindred spirits today can probably be found among China’s current leaders. But, the prime minister is nothing if not a paradoxical mass of contradictions in that he identified earlier with the late British prime minister Margaret Thatcher in their common belief in unleashing market forces on once hide-bound public enterprises through their respective privatisation programmes. Leaders naturally evolve over time and those like Dr Mahathir who have the rare luxury of 15 years between “retirement” and re-assuming office presumably have greater opportunities to reflect and perhaps reconsider matters. But, if there is one thing about Dr Mahathir, it is surely how remarkably consistent his basic core beliefs and world view have remained.

Source: New Strait Times June 01, 2018 02:26 UTC