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...