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.