Mahathir's new book launched

Mahathir's new book launched

KUALA LUMPUR (AP): Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's new book on Malaysian politics and economics has been launched by former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher in London, according to news reports.

The Way Forward, containing five essays, was written before the current economic downturn that is threatening to push the Southeast Asian nation into recession. Mahathir was not present at the event.

Both leaders are known for tough and often controversial policies. Thatcher, as prime minister, promoted privatization, while Malaysia under Mahathir has been pushed along a fast, high- tech track with dazzling projects.

Mahathir has 10 books to his name, most compilations of his speeches. His most controversial writing was The Malay Dilemma, published in 1972. It argued that the indigenous Malay race wasn't as tough as the ethnic Chinese and Indian minorities, so Malays needed government protection under affirmative action policies.