Exclusive | Mahathir Mohamad Q&A: Malaysian PM on Beijing, Jack Ma and why battleships in the South China Sea are a bad idea
‘There’s nothing to be afraid of,’ when it comes to China, the Malaysian leader says in an exclusive interview with the SCMP. Yet, while he is not anti-China, he is not always pro-Chinese investment either
In an exclusive interview with the South China Morning Post this week, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad opened up about relations with China and his ideas for getting his country going again. But he deflected questions on whether he wants to stay on as premier beyond the two years he has promised to stay in office. Below is an excerpt of the interview at his Putrajaya office.
***********
Q: Selamat Hari Raya. We hear you had a big Hari Raya celebration (to mark the end of Ramadan) at your house?
A: Thank you. Yes, 80,000 people. I shook hands with nearly 50,000.
ON CHINA AND JACK MA
Q: What do you think about China?
A: We have always been in contact with China. In fact, during my time, we developed a very good relationship with China. We sometimes become a spokesman for China, because everywhere I go, people ask me ‘What do you think about China? Aren’t you afraid?’ I say, ‘There’s nothing to be afraid of.’ We have been neighbours for 2,000 years. You haven’t conquered us yet. But the Portuguese came here in 1509. Two years later they came and conquered us. So I always tell that story whenever they ask. I have always regarded China as a good neighbour, and also as a very big market for whatever it is that we produce. Malaysia is a trading nation. We need markets, so we can’t quarrel with such a big market.
