Reflections on Asia

by Mahathir Mohamad

In this book, Dr. Mahathir says much that needs to be said about Asia and the rest of the world. He speaks his mind on how Asia can reinvent itself after the chaos of the Asian crisis of 1997: by reexamining the way the global economic system functions and challenging some of the most fundamental tenets of global capitalism. Understand the man and his thoughts by reading what he has to say about the crucial issues of our times: Asia's road to recovery, currency controls, globalization, capitalism, democracy, Islam, Asian values, China, Japan, Malay politics, etc. By analyzing and bringing into focus these issues, he hopes to encourage sober and rational discussion of them by concerned and intelligent world citizens at this crucial juncture of the world's evolution.

152 pages, Paperback

Published September 10, 2002

About the author

Tun Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad ( born 10 July 1925) (Jawi:محتير بن محمد) was the fourth Prime Minister of Malaysia. He held the post for 22 years from 1981 to 2003, making him Malaysia's longest-serving Prime Minister, and one of the longest-serving leaders in Asia. Mahathir's political career spanned almost 40 years, from his election as a Malaysian federal Member of Parliament in 1964, until his resignation as Prime Minister in 2003.

Reviews

['Izzat Radzi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kalau buku ini dibaca oleh generasi yang memang cut-off dengan politik dari 98'; maka pada 2018 ni, Tun lah yang paling betul, hero kepada cerita diri sendiri (siapa lagi nak kipas diri sendiri?).
Lupakan semua kronism, dan orang dalam pejabat yang sendiri main currency guna reserve kerajaan, tapi salahkan trader lain dalam keributan krisis matawang tersebut. .

Membaca bahagian tertentu tersebut, hanya membuatkan aku, berasa secara sendiri, bagaimana menjadi penduduk Oceania dalam 1984 karangan George Orwell. It was a very surreal experience!

In a way juga, nampak la Machiavellian Tun dalam tulisan (i.e. pemikiran)-nya, juga jijik adalah ideologi trickle-down economics (yang kembali diulang pada 2018) selain rasionalisasi untuk mengabsahkan bantuan kerajaan kepada syarikat-syarikat (baca: cukong) swasta; tapi ironinya pada masa sama malu alah dengan 'tongkat' kepada Bumiputera.

Adapun berkenan hubungan diplomatik, saya rasa tidak salah -bahkan telah ramai menyebutkannya- ia merupakan salah satu kekuatan Malaysia.

[Mahmoud Shehata · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is a collection of articles written by Dr. Mahathir. The articles span along more than 3 years at least.
I started reading this because of my curiosity towards how He handled the currency crisis in 1997.
The author displays a deep understanding of the uniqueness of Asia and how it relates to and differ from the rest of the world.
Dr. Mahathir also reflects back on his decision to give subsidies to the indigenous people of Malaya after the riots in 1969. It seemed that the extra support handed over to them fireback by making them less active and more complacent thus less competitive.
It's important to understand that Malaysia is not like other countries; it has a complex background that resulted in a mix of three races to become to the new Malaysians.
In regard to his foreign affair policies, he has sharp eyes and mind with deep understanding of how the world works. Internally, the author, like more politicians, tends to assign blame and hold ground as the righteous one.

Overall, the books displays deep insight into one of the most influential asian leaders in the 20th century. No one can deny that he is the father of modern Malaysia and for that he has my respect.