Badawi good for the region: Analysts<\/p>\n
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja
\nThe Jakarta Post
\nJakarta<\/p>\n
Malaysia's new Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is expected
\nto infuse new blood to the region in general and to bilateral
\nrelations between Indonesia and Malaysia, analysts say.<\/p>\n
Bantarto Bandoro of the Centre of Strategic and International
\nStudies (CSIS) said over the weekend that the soft temper Badawi
\nwould benefit the region.<\/p>\n
"Badawi is more moderate and prudent in dealing with many
\nissues among ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asia Nations) member
\ncountries and that will be a good thing for the regional
\ngrouping," Bantarto told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
"Also in handling many bilateral issues with Indonesia, he may
\ntake different and approach softer than his predecessor Mahathir
\nMohamad did," he added.<\/p>\n
Another analyst CPF Luhulima, however, warned that there would
\nbe no major changes in Malaysia's policies.<\/p>\n
Badawi, according to Luhulima, would merely conduct a
\ndifferent style of leadership.<\/p>\n
"He will be more pleasant for the international community,
\nthere will be no more sharp-tongued remarks, but he will be as
\nstern as Mahathir in dealing with many issues," Luhulima told the
\nPost.<\/p>\n
The analyst said that with the resignation of Mahathir, the
\nregion had lost the last charismatic leader and these new blood
\nwould be seen more as an administrators.<\/p>\n
"Badawi will bring changes to Malaysia, maybe not as fast as
\nMahathir expects but according to the principles that the senior
\nstatesman has outlined," Luhulima added.<\/p>\n
Bantarto concurred with Luhulima, saying that Badawi, 63,
\nwould follow Mahathir's lead.<\/p>\n
"I think he will have a different approach in implementing the
\npolicies," he said.<\/p>\n
After 22 years of leading Malaysia into one of Asia's economic
\npowerhouse, Mahathir left the prime minister's office on Friday
\nin favor of Badawi, his deputy since 1999.<\/p>\n
He was the last among his peers that stepped down as
\nIndonesia's former president Soeharto was forced to resign in
\n1998 and Singapore's former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew stepped
\ndown in 1990.<\/p>\n
Badawi is seen as a more low-profile figure in the region and
\nhis maneuver has been under the shadow of Mahathir's vigorous
\nleadership.<\/p>\n
He once served as Malaysia's foreign affairs minister before
\nappointed as deputy prime minister in 1999 to replace Anwar
\nIbrahim, who was tried and put in jail for alleged misconduct.<\/p>\n
With Badawi taking over the post, ASEAN member countries are
\nled by younger generation. Although, many doubt that these "young
\nblood" will be as prominent as their predecessors, but they
\nsurely promise a make over in the region.<\/p>\n
On Friday, President Megawati Soekarnoputri sent a
\ncongratulation letter to Badawi, conveying hopes that his
\nadministration would further boost friendship between the two
\nneighboring countries.<\/p>\n
"And I am sure that with the new leadership, the (bilateral)
\nties will be maintained and strengthened, not just for the sake
\nof the people of the two countries, but also for more prosperous
\nand secure Southeast Asia region," Megawati said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/badawi-good-for-the-region-analysts-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}