Singaporeans say
"Goodbye Mahathir"
With deep admiration and worry about radicalism without him, but many are happy to see the back of him. By Seah Chiang Nee
Nov 1, 2003

SINGAPORE - For the 3.25 million people on this island, the question of who Malaysia's leader is has always been only second in importance to their own for one reason.

It largely determines how well - or badly - their lives could be. Especially when it comes to a strongman like Dr. Mahathir Mohamad.

So when he retires after 22 years, it has stirred up strong feelings among the new generation here, which - like its Malaysian counterpart - has known no other leader in Kuala Lumpur other than Dr. Mahathir.

As the world and Malaysians heaped a flurry of either accolade or condemnation on him, Singaporeans have reacted with both sentiments at the same time - not necessarily for the same reasons.

They have their own.

First, the praise.

Singaporeans know about and visit Malaysia more than any other country on earth, many having close friends and relatives there. Its achievements under Dr. M are well engrossed in their minds.

It is a modern, multi-racial nation that's one of Southeast Asia's most advanced, but more important is M's success in keeping Islamic and racial extremists firmly under control.

This has deepened the Singaporeans' admiration of his vision and his guts in striving for it.

To them, he stands as a hero in the fight against terrorist bombers.

But in recent years, Singaporeans have also suffered as a result of his unpredictable brand of personal diplomacy that bore little benefit even to Malaysia.

They have generally stayed away from others' condemnation of his "dictatorial" rule or alleged destruction of state institutions, his persecution of Anwar or his attacks on the West and Jews.

They were, many feel, none of their business.

People here are bothered more by his actions that had inflicted direct harm on their lives.

They ranged from the blocking of their Clob shares (grievous financial losses) to angry outbursts, like "skinning the cat (Singapore)" or referring to the option of war, or charging that Singapore was part of the Jewish conspiracy to fix Malaysia's economy.

Not to mention turning the difficult negotiations of water, railway land, the proposed bridge, and other disputes into a stormy - including legal - confrontation.

Now that he is gone, however, the worry is turning to Malaysia's ability to contain Islamic extremism.

Can his milder, less combative successor, Abdullah Badawi, a man who commands plenty of goodwill, prevent it from spreading? This is viewed here as a potential threat.

Some cautious observers here caution against excessive hope of a quick rapprochement in bilateral ties under Mr. Abdullah, however much he wants it.

He is a consensus leader, which means any movement must come from a small collection of UMNO leaders around him. Rule by collective agreement takes time.

Mr. Abdullah is unlikely to move closer towards Singapore, if others don't go along.

And, of course, there's a question whether the Singapore-baiting Mahathir will continue to exercise any influence on this issue.

One immediate benefit, however, is that under the new reime the Mahathir-type rhetorics and undiplomatic language against Singapore will likely end.

Mr. Abdullah's immediate priorities are to prepare - and score a big win - in the forthcoming general elections and a host of domestic problems left behind by his predecessor.

Of increasing influence will be Defence Minister Najib Razak, who is the top contender to become Deputy Prime Minister.

He is the driving force behind Malaysia's current efforts to upgrade its military capability with a US$4 billion hi-tech arms purchase between now and 2005.

An assuring factor is that Mr. Najib and Malaysia's cabinet members and a omnipresent group of backroom party "kingmakers" are moderates with none harbouring animosity towards the republic.

This includes Foreign Minister Syed Hamid, despite his upsetting way of conducting then calling off talks, but the charade was believed to be directed by Dr. Mahathir himself.

He is likely to keep his portfolio - at least for the moment.
By Seah Chiang Nee