INTERVIEW | Critics say former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad was a "dictator" while supporters call him as a "strongman". However, neither word is used to describe his son Mukhriz Mahathir, who tends to take a softie approach in politics.

Even when Mukhriz was ousted as Kedah menteri besar, he opted to resign instead of going for a long-drawn legal battle after it became apparent that he no longer commanded a majority in the state assembly.

Despite his differing style from his father, the soft-spoken Mukhriz believes that he can still inspire people to support him through a gentlemanly approach.

"I engaged with them, I listened to their ideas, and incorporated them as my own. That was the approach that I took.

"To do that you have to be diplomatic, be a bit of a gentleman," said Mukhriz, matter-of-factly.

An example, he said was how, as Kedah menteri besar, he sought to engage the civil service and allowed them to step up instead of dictating on policies.

"That's my approach, I'm not saying my father as prime minister didn't engage with the civil service or his ministers and that he dictated everything. That's not the case, either.

"But he's a man of ideas, he's innovative in his own rights. I was a first-term MP, I needed some time to learn the ropes, I was still considered an outsider," he said.

Mahathir had repeatedly stated that he forbade his children from joining politics while he was still the prime minister.

Mukhriz's foray into politics began a year after Mahathir retired as prime minister in 2003, when the political newbie was elected as an Umno Youth exco member.

In his 2008 electoral debut, Mukhriz became the Jerlun MP. He was appointed Kedah menteri besar after the 2013 general election but was ousted in 2016 amid his father Mahathir's quest to unseat Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, who is also Umno president.

Defending his style of politics compared that of his father, Mukhriz said being a gentleman was something natural for Kedahans, citing the late former Dewan Rakyat speaker Mohamed Zahir Ismail and the late former Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah.

"There are more characters in Kedah who are the epitome of what a Kedah gentleman is and I really wanted to be a part of that," he explained.

However, Mukhriz said he can be firm if he needs to.

"When I decided that I could no longer support the Umno leadership, I had to tell Najib that I couldn't accept his offer when he offered me the position of deputy minister.

"Because it would affect my integrity and it's like selling my dignity. How can I even live with myself?

"(So) I am firm when I need to be and I try to be as such in a diplomatic way," he said.

Operating within father’s shadow

Asked about having to operate within Mahathir's very large shadow, Mukhriz stressed that he was not like his father - but it also didn't mean that it was necessary to try and move out of that shadow.

"People know who I am. Of course, some people see my father's name first, rather than mine. Which is fine, for I was born into it the family.

However, Mukhriz admitted that his approaches may differ to that of his father's.

"Even from before, we had some differences when it came to the youth. Of course, perhaps it's a generational issue and it's a huge gap.

Mahathir is somewhat more understanding today as he knows that he is doing things for the younger generation and as such, their views are critical, said Mukhriz.

He cited the special bond between Mahathir and Bersatu Youth chief Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, despite their huge age gap.

"Syed Saddiq does not always agree with what Tun (Mahathir) says and Tun does not always agree with what Syed Saddiq says but the two can gel. I think this combination is important for us to move forward."

Nonetheless, Mukhriz said, it was good to have someone like Mahathir who can provide wisdom.

"We can depend on him to give us guidance based on his vast experience and knowledge. He is well read, has real experience and he's opinionated.

"When you have that combination, you can always fall back on him to be frank and blunt when you need that.

"Sometimes we are too diplomatic and a problem does not get solved," Mukhriz said.

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