Great Man goes his own way~

Tun Dr Mahathir is an extraordinary visionary global leader of our time. During his rule, Malaysia has faces many changes. During his term in office, he was considered by some as one of Asia's most influential leaders. He is the longest political thinkers in Asia and also a great thinker which have great ideas that can change small thing which is useless to something which is valuable. He really fascinated me in term of how he manages to bring Malaysia to the global arena.

Tun Dr.Mahathir bin Mohamad was born in 10 July 1925. He was the fourth Prime Minister of Malaysia and was the longest Prime Minister in Malaysia. He was born in Alor Setar, kedah and was the youngest of nine children. His father was a headmaster and he was raised up in a simple happy family. He received his education at t the Sultan Abdul Hamid College in Alor Star. he then attended the King Edward VII Medical College (it is now National University of Singapore) in Singapore. During his life as a student, he contributed to the The Straits Times newspaper under the nickname "C.H.E. Det".

Dr Mahathir actively entered politics in 1964 as a member of parliament for UMNO. He was expelled from the party in 1969 after criticized Tunku Abdul Rahman for neglecting indigenous Malay community. He then, wrote his book, entitled “The Malay Dilemma” which was a controversial book , he try to explain the causes of the 13 May Incident in Kuala Lumpur and the reasons for the Malay’s lack of economic progress within their own country and also he discussed about the malay’s right which have been marginalized during the colonial era. This book has been banned by Tunku Abdul Rahman, but later on it has been used by Tun Abdul Razak in regard to the New Economic Policy ( NEP). He then, was elected back to join the party 7 March 1972, and was appointed as Senator in 1973. In 1981 he becomes Prime Minister.

During his reign he has brought a major change in constitution. He took on the federal and state monarchies and removing the royal veto and royal power. He also set about putting his ideas into practice and transforming Malaysia from an exporter of rubber and tin, into an Asian tiger producing electronic equipment, steel and cars. He believes in his view and always considered that his view was always right. What makes me interested with him is that the way he manage to overcome the economic crisis. During economic crisis in 1997, Tun Dr Mathathir refused to take a recovery package offered by IMF and believes that Malaysia's recovery was relatively faster and better, as compared to many other Asian countries affected. After the financial crisis, the IMF and World Bank acknowledged that Mahathir's approach had worked.

When he was appointed as Ministry of education, many have changes. He believes that only knowledge can help the poor to improve their live. He believes that knowledge can bring about a better life. In addition, Tun Mahathir always has been an outspoken critic of the western. After 9/11 , he was the only person that openly fight for the right of Islam whereas many other countries afraid of doing that. He also criticizes US for example he made a speech condemning the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, calling it an oppressive instrument by which the United States and other countries try to impose their values on Asians. He went on to share his view that Asians need stability and economic growth more than civil liberties. This is really impressed me because he always believe of the capabilities on the Asian countries rather than the western countries even though half of the world know that western especially US is the superpower and economically advance. He has opened the country to foreign investment, reformed taxation, reduced trade barriers, the privation of numerous state-owed enterprise, besides creating a world-class physical infrastructure. He also wanted to bridge Malaysia’s ethnic divides by increasing general prosperity. In 1991, he launched the New Development Policy (NDP), which emphasized on industrial and commercial development and the elimination of poverty. Under Tun Dr. Mahathir’s leadership, Malaysia developed into one of the most prosperous and dynamic economies in Southeast Asia, with a growing of industrial sector, an expanding middle class and enhanced quality of life. Malaysia also played a more active role in the international arena, acting as the voice for developing nations in Asia and Africa.

His incredibly stubborn have made him becoming a great leader of our time. He had brought many changes to Malaysia. His credibility as a leader can not be doubt. He is a charismatic leader who posses incredible ideas in which I think is hard to be found in thousands of people. He is one in a million stars. He manage to overcome crisis by crisis and never lost in those problems. I think Tun Dr Mahathir is 'our great leader', who so far making history for a greater Malaysia. May Allah blessed him . =)

By : Nor Hazwani Bt Mat Rashid
I LOVE YOU TUN!!!!!!!!!