'Wrong side of the door' before, but now a changed man – Clare on Dr M
INTERVIEW | There are still those who remain sceptical of Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's intentions and commitment to reform based on his track record.
However, Sarawak Report editor Clare Rewcastle-Brown is convinced that the 92-year-old politician is now a changed man.
She conceded that from having done things “my way” in the past, Mahathir is now learning to do them “our way” vis-a-vis consensus among Pakatan Harapan parties...
INTERVIEW | There are still those who remain sceptical of Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's intentions and commitment to reform based on his track record.
However, Sarawak Report editor Clare Rewcastle-Brown is convinced that the 92-year-old politician is now a changed man.
She conceded that from having done things “my way” in the past, Mahathir is now learning to do them “our way” vis-a-vis consensus among Pakatan Harapan parties.
Rewcastle-Brown pointed out that Mahathir's decision not to helm the education portfolio was a good sign.
“He got a lot of flak and he responded,” she said with regard to Mahathir abiding by the Harapan manifesto which promised that the prime minister would not hold other portfolios.
“I think he understands what it is like to be on the wrong side of the door and a very powerful centralised state,” she added.
Asked if she is convinced Mahathir had shed his old ways, the London-based Rewcastle-Brown answered in the affirmative.
“Yes, it took a while to convince me. I met him three, maybe four times, and he came on a couple of visits to London.
“I had one or two opportunities to talk to him and I can see he is really beginning to discover why it is important to have a free media among other things.
“He is committed to the reform agenda and that's what made the whole thing powerful...
“You had the grand icon Mahathir, a leader whom Malaysia has confidence in, linking up and committing himself to the reform agenda and so many supported him passionately,” she said.
During his previous 22-year stint as prime minister, Mahathir was accused of keeping the media, among other things, on a tight leash.
When he decided to launch a campaign against former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak, he was forced to turn to the foreign media to air his views after the local media, which now provide him widespread coverage after the May 9 general election, did not provide space for his comments.
The Harapan manifesto promised to liberalise the media if the coalition won federal power.
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