Although both of them are old and equally qualified academically, Singapore's Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew is certainly wiser, smarter and more farsighted than Malaysia's Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad. Whatever our race and religion, we should acknowledge the obvious.

SM Lee retired from active politics in the 1990s. He knew his time had come. He merely became an adviser enjoying the trust, love and confidence of all younger leaders who are all well qualified academically. Lee has therefore avoided the tragedy of Suharto, and the comic-tragedy of Mahathir. Most Singaporeans, including decent Malays and Muslims feel proud of him and the government.

Also, Lee has groomed well-qualified top leaders and successors. He knows the future is going to be very competitive. Only knowledgeable leaders command the respect and trust of the world. There is no general or party elections in the international community, political or financial. In the larger free world, others do not need to be sycophants to achieve results.

True, both Lee and Dr Mahathir are autocratic. However, while Lee use his autocratic power to ensure a better future for Singaporeans, Mahathir abuse it only to create one tragedy after another. Anwar Ibrahim's case is merely one of the many.