Malaysians coming to terms with Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's resignation scrambled today to assess the likely impact of mild-mannered premier-in-waiting Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on everything from human rights to the economy.
Abdullah, 62, currently deputy prime minister, pledged in a live television broadcast yesterday to continue Mahathir's policies and vowed to ensure a smooth transition of power when he takes over late next year.
Financial analysts agree that Abdullah, who is a veteran politician but has no experience in economic management, is unlikely to change any of Mahathir's business policies which have brought dramatic growth to the country.
No change
"Abdullah's ideology and stand has always been very much in line with Mahathir's, so I doubt he will change any economic or political policies," a senior analyst with a local financial institution said.
Throughout his 21-year tenure as leader Mahathir presided over the transformation of a commodities-reliant backwater into one of Asia's most successful developing countries.
However, aside from economic success, Abdullah is also set to inherit the confrontational premier's notorious reputation for ruling with an iron fist.
Mahathir has often been criticised for bending independent national institutions to his will, limiting press freedom and using tough security laws to stifle dissent.
Malaysian opposition and rights groups expressed uncertainty over the future of human rights policies under Abdullah's leadership, with some fearing that he would maintain a hard line.
Has elements of Mahathir
Rights group Suaram (Voice of the People) spokesman Arutchelvan Subramaniam said Abdullah, who is also home minister in charge of security, had "never shown his true self when it comes to human rights principles".
"He has been using the Internal Security Act (ISA) to show that he's a tough guy, to show people that he has elements of Mahathir in him.
"We have yet to see him portray his real stand, so there is a lot of uncertainty," Arutchelvan told AFP .
Abdullah has in the past year approved the detention of scores of alleged Muslim militants and political dissidents under the controversial ISA, which allows indefinite detention without trial.
The president of the National Human Rights Society (Hakam), Ramdas Tikamdas, said it was unlikely that Abdullah's takeover would bring about changes in Malaysia's widely-criticised human rights record.
"The challenges in society, as far as the principles of human rights are concerned, will remain whether it is Mahathir or Abdullah who is prime minister," he said.
"Only the leader (will be) changed, but the laws are still the same."
Urged to initiate reforms
Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, wife of jailed former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim, said Abdullah's pledge to continue Mahathir's policies "did not speak well of our aspirations to be among the leading countries in the world".
Anwar was sacked by Mahathir as deputy premier on Sept 2, 1998 on grounds of immorality and detained 18 days later under the ISA after leading mass anti-government protests.
He is now serving 15 years in jail after being convicted for abuse of power and sodomy.
Wan Azizah, who is also president of the opposition National Justice Party (Keadilan), called on Abdullah to "initiate reforms to restore public confidence in the institutions of government".
"We hope that Abdullah will take this opportunity to correct at least some of the injustices inflicted over our society over the last several years," she said in a statement released late yesterday. — AFP
