Badawi good for region: Analysts

Badawi good for region: Analysts

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Malaysia's new Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is expected
to follow the lead of retired prime minister Mahathir Mohamad,
but with his own style, analysts say.

Bantarto Bandoro of the Centre of Strategic and International
Studies (CSIS) said over the weekend that the even tempered
Badawi would benefit the region.

"Badawi is more moderate and prudent in dealing with many
issues among ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asia Nations) member
countries and that will be a good thing for the regional
grouping," Bantarto said.

"Also in handling many bilateral issues with Indonesia, he may
take a different and softer approach than his predecessor
Mahathir Mohamad did," he added.

Another analyst, CPF Luhulima, however, said there would be no
major changes in Malaysia's policies.

Badawi, according to Luhulima, would merely bring a different
style of leadership.

"He will be more pleasant for the international community,
there will be no more sharp-tongued remarks, but he will be as
stern as Mahathir in dealing with many issues," Luhulima said.

The analyst said that with the resignation of Mahathir, the
region had lost its most charismatic leader and his replacement
would be seen more as an administrator.

"Badawi will bring changes to Malaysia, maybe not as fast as
Mahathir expects but according to the principles that the senior
statesman has outlined," Luhulima added.

Bantarto concurred with Luhulima, saying that Badawi, 63,
would follow Mahathir's lead.

"I think he will have a different approach in implementing the
policies," he said.

After 22 years of leading Malaysia into one of Asia's economic
powerhouses, Mahathir left the prime minister's office on Friday
in favor of Badawi, his deputy since 1999.

He was the last among his peers that stepped down as
Indonesia's former president Soeharto was forced to resign in
1998 and Singapore's former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew stepped
down in 1990.

Badawi is seen as a more low-profile figure in the region and
his maneuver has been in the shadows of Mahathir's vigorous
leadership.

He once served as Malaysia's foreign affairs minister before
he was appointed deputy prime minister in 1999 to replace Anwar
Ibrahim, who was tried and put in jail for alleged misconduct.

With Badawi taking over the post, ASEAN member countries are
led by a younger generation. Although, many doubt the "young
blood" will be as prominent as their predecessors, but they
surely promise a make over in the region.

On Friday, President Megawati Soekarnoputri sent a
congratulations letter to Badawi, conveying hopes that his
administration would further boost friendship between the two
neighboring countries.

"An I am sure that with the new leadership, the (bilateral)
ties will be maintained and strengthened, not just for the sake
of the people of the two countries, but also for a more
prosperous and secure Southeast Asia region," Megawati said.