Megawati bids tearful farewell to Mahathir

The Jakarta Post, Nusa Dua, Bali

Indonesian President Megawati Soekarnoputri, as chairwoman of the Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN), bid a tearful farewell to retiring Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad during the ninth ASEAN Summit on Tuesday.

The Bali summit is Mahathir's last ASEAN meeting before his announced retirement later this month.

"This is the very last summit to be graced by the presence of a dear colleague, who is also a steadfast friend to us all. Today, we take the opportunity to say a fond farewell to His Excellency Dr. Mahathir Mohamad," Megawati said.

Delivering the speech after signing the Bali Concord II, Megawati said the statesmanship of Mahathir would always influence the 10 ASEAN member countries.

"He always had strong and informed views and never hesitated to say the unpleasant. That is why I can say with confidence that Dr. Mahathir may leave office, but he will never abandon involvement with ASEAN," Megawati said.

After the downfall of former Indonesian president Soeharto in 1998, Mahathir became the most senior leader among ASEAN member countries.

Unlike Soeharto, who was forced from the presidential office in the face of massive protests against his corrupt rule, Mahathir leaves his post with the respect of Malaysians and ASEAN member countries.

The upcoming Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Thailand will be the last international convention to be attended by Mahathir.

In his response to Megawati's speech, Mahathir expressed gratitude for the support and assistance of ASEAN member countries during his 22 years as Malaysia's prime minister.

"To be honored by my fellow leaders in ASEAN is indeed something special ... I am grateful to all of you for your support, assistance and above all friendship," the prime minister said.

He said he hoped the ASEAN member countries would not disregard the principles that keep them together.

"The principles of noninterference, of consensus based decision making, national and regional resilience, respect for national sovereignty, the renunciation of the threat of the use of force in the settlement of differences and disputes, must always be upheld by ASEAN countries," Mahathir underlined.

After the farewell remarks, Megawati presented Mahathir with a framed-photo of the 10 ASEAN leaders taken at an earlier photo session and hosted a gala dinner for the retiring prime minister.