Mahathir reigns until 2020?<\/p>\n
The wish to rule Malaysia for 25 more years expressed by Prime
\nMinister Mahathir Mohamad recently is very interesting indeed as
\nit is related to democratization efforts in the country as well
\nas grooming for leaders. By then, Mahathir who has ruled the
\npeninsula for 13 years will be 95.<\/p>\n
Even if Mahathir does not reach that age, it will give him the
\nchance to become head of state for life.<\/p>\n
\"A five-year period for a government is not sufficient. Many
\nsay that a leader who rules for more than one period will become
\na dictator. But in Malaysia, Barisan Nasional has devoted itself
\nfor 44 years and we have never forgotten our responsibility to
\nthe people,\" he said in front of 3,709 delegates of the ruling
\ncoalition of 14 parties.<\/p>\n
No one doubts the achievement of Malaysia under Mahathir. And
\nthe 2020 target for Malaysia to become an advanced country is
\nvery realistic.<\/p>\n
We attribute his strong leadership, good reputation and
\nbrilliant performance on the international political stage partly
\nto Malaysia's political culture which is predominantly Malay.<\/p>\n
Mahathir has become a fatherly figure for the nation who has
\ngreatly contributed to the development of the country. From the
\ncountry's political culture point of view, such a leader is
\nreplaceable only in the event of death or resignation.
\nTraditionally, the United Malay National Organization (UMNO)
\nchairman is unopposed in the party's congress.<\/p>\n
Succession is a unique issue in Malaysia due to the Malay
\nculture. The position of the UMNO chairman is unlikely to be
\nchallenged, allowing political rivalry only on the second level
\nof leadership. Mahathir's wish to rule for another 25 years must
\nhave given politicians in this level reason to rethink their
\nstrategy.<\/p>\n
-- Kompas, Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/mahathir-reigns-until-2020-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }