The country’s leadership shapes the future with a clear vision, mission - Dr Mahathir

Illustration by Sinar Daily

PUTRAJAYA - Just over a decade ago, Maysians were excited, enthusiastic and motivated for the year 2020. We indulged in the future of a developed and high-income Malaysia, similar to Japan, the United States and our neighbours Singapore.

The spirit and belief was all thanks to Wawasan 2020 or Vision 2020 introduced by the fourth and seventh Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad during the tabling of the Sixth Malaysia Plan in 1991.

Then in 2017 came 2050 National Transformation (TN2050) as move to continue the vision and further solidify sixth prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s legacy. TN2050 was part of the Barisan Nasional’s (BN) 15th General Election campaign manifesto as they went up against their former chief, Dr Mahathir himself.

To cut the story short, BN lost and TN2050 was scrapped. In present day, current Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has launched the Madani Economy: Rakyat Empowerment Framework.

The response has been lukewarm at best as Malaysians continue to grapple with the high cost of living. Many questioned: What will happen to Malaysia in the next 10 or 20 years?

In response to concerns about Malaysia's long-term prospects, Dr Mahathir went back to basics highlighting the pivotal role of leadership.

"It depends very much on leadership. We noticed that leaders play a very big role," he said, drawing parallels with China's transformation under different leadership eras.

"For example, if you look at China, China under Mao Zedong was very poor, very backward, had got no industries, people were poor. But when Xi Jinping took over, China became the powerful country that it is today,” he told Sinar Daily during an exclusive interview titled Politics, Corruption and Possible Revenge: Fireside Chat with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Dr Mahathir cautioned against concentrated power and the lack of term limits in Malaysian politics, highlighting potential risks associated with prolonged leadership tenure.

In some countries, he said, the term of the prime minister is only two terms.

“Whether you like or not, you have to step down. But here there is no limit.

"At this moment there is no limit. So people are going to be prime minister for 10 years. A lot of damage can happen within 10 years,” he said.

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad during an exclusive interview on Politics, Corruption and Possible Revenge: Fireside Chat with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. (PHOTO BY ASRIL ASWANDI ABD SHUKOR)

Reflecting on his own governance philosophy, Dr Mahathir stressed the importance of consultation and inclusive decision-making processes.

“You need not a strong prime minister, but a prime minister who's open to arguments by others, which was what I did when I was prime minister.

"I always consult for everything that I want to do. At least the cabinet is given every member of the cabinet has a chance to speak, every member, sometimes two rounds,” he said, adding that this was also practiced during his time as Umno president where its Supreme Council members would be given a chance raise their concerns and opinions.

The former Langkawi MP urged for reforms and transparency in governance to address the challenges facing Malaysia, adding that the current leasership needs listen to diverse viewpoints.

Decisive actions based on experts’ advice, he said, was crucial to navigate the country's economic and social complexities into the future.