Mahathir raps West's 'double standards'

Mahathir raps West's 'double standards'

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has criticized Western "double standards" on globalization, saying the concept was being shaped to fit the needs of the developed world.

"The truth is there is indeed very little 'free market' element in this brand of globalization," he said in a speech opening the Langkawi International Dialogue between Malaysia and southern African nations.

"It has been deliberately shaped to fulfill the requirements of the principal players, a process greatly aided by political powers bent on creating international conditions conducive to their needs."

Mahathir's speech late Sunday in the resort island of Langkawi was carried by Monday's newspapers and Bernama news agency.