Progress and succession in Malaysia

Progress and succession in Malaysia

The problem of succession in Malaysia was cleared up by the
statement made by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad (71) that he
was confident that Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (50) would
take over his position when the time comes. Mahathir's statement
on the succession was made public a month after he marked the
15th year of his term as prime minister, a position he assumed on
July 6, 1981.

Apart from providing transparence regarding the succession
issue, Mahathir also rebutted allegations of nepotism on his
part, of assisting his children in politics or providing them
with "facilities" in business.

Malaysia provides a typical example of success in a developing
country. Whereas during the 1980s Malaysia was a commodities-
based economy, the country is at present developing into an
export-oriented one.

Our impression is that this country of 16 million people will
become one of the biggest economic powers in the region, intent
on challenging its Southeast Asian neighbors with the Vision 2020
plan outlined by Mahathir. It must be admitted that the economic
successes of Malaysia have been the fruit of the hard work of
Mahathir, the doctor-turned-politician.

For Malaysia it is a logical consequence that development has
increased the political acumen of its people, particularly of the
middle class. So it is quite natural that various groups in
society, particularly the media, should be discussing the issue
of succession, which is no longer a political taboo.

Mahathir quite accurately anticipated those demands for
openness and at the same time trivialized distracting issues by
openly and clearly stating that Anwar will eventually be his
successor. It seems proper that we pay due regard to the fact
that the handling of such a delicate political issue -- a
succession in the national leadership -- has been so effortlessly
resolved by Mahathir.

-- Kompas, Jakarta