Highlights

  • Kula says Mahathir was against declaring public holidays after GE14 win
  • Mahathir brought discipline to Harapan

INTERVIEW | If Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad were to be described by a song, that song would be Frank Sinatra's 'My Way'.

However, Human Resources Minister M Kulasegaran believes the 93-year-old has changed his tune since joining Pakatan Harapan, and is now doing things "our way".

"I think he has entirely moved to our way. He is willing to encompass and discuss issues," Kulasegaran told Malaysiakini during an interview last Friday.

Describing the prime minister as a "phenomenal person", the DAP minister gave various examples to support his claim of a changed Mahathir, including on how cabinet meetings go.

"He is very willing to listen. In the cabinet, it is not just prime minister alone making decisions.

"We all have equal rights... I didn't know that the cabinet works like that... at the end of the day it's a unanimous decision," he said.

Kulasegaran also claimed that Mahathir was initially against the idea of declaring a two-day public holiday should Harapan win the May 9 general election as he wanted to start working "doubly hard" immediately to pay off debts accumulated by the BN administration.

However, Kulasegaran said, he relented after three meetings to convince him otherwise.

Among the arguments that helped convince Mahathir, he said, was that outstation voters were reluctant to go back and vote on a Wednesday if they only had one day to travel.

Another example Kulasegaran gave was how Mahathir was convinced to apologise for using the word "keling" during a speech in Johor in early April.

"Our top leaders went to see him, and I told him this had hurt the Indian community, and maybe it will be best if he can withdraw.

"He said 'No, I'll apologise'. He went one step ahead more than what we wanted," he said, adding that many had believed Mahathir would not back down on the matter.

In the following excerpts from Malaysiakini's exclusive interview, Kulasegaran speaks further about being in Mahathir's cabinet, the latter's leadership, and about former finance minister Daim Zainuddin's new role in the Harapan government.

The interview has been edited for language and brevity.

Do you trust Mahathir to see through reforms such as ending unilateral conversions, considering his past of being pro-Malay and pro-Islam?

From the time he joined Harapan, there is not only a glimpse of hope, but you can dream that there will be changes and he is leading the march.

He keeps on reminding us that we must all be people of integrity, we must have a sedate life, don't live beyond your means and be corruption free.

He has also taken it upon himself to see that minority issues are well addressed. He has acknowledged that in the Indian community there have been oversights. We need to address issues for the Orang Asal, women and disabled groups.

I have total confidence. As I said earlier, I'm the happiest person. When I first entered Parliament he was prime minister and he was in government and I was in the opposition. Now he is prime minister again and I am a minister in his cabinet. What else do you want?

The last few cabinet meetings have been frank and free for all. You can express your opinion and exchange ideas on whatever issues of public importance and necessities. All matters of necessity have been raised without question.

Were you receptive to him joining Harapan?

I was one of the few people who felt that he can bring change. We had a lot of backdoor discussions that is not publicly known. He's a phenomenal person.

At some of the retreats, he comes to have coffee, and he will sit down and talk to you, one-on-one. From beginning to end he sits down and listens, and at the end of it he gives his views, and it's not an overriding view.

Did Mahathir bring discipline to a fragmented opposition?

No question about it. There were a lot of times that it was not easy to get things done, to agree on certain things, even among our parties, but Mahathir was always the man able to have the foresight. He can see the bigger picture

He would say, 'We can achieve all that, but let's take the government first. I've been there before, just take it from me.'

With those sweet words, we felt 'yes, this can happen', and we can see it happening now. There are things that I felt were so wrong with the previous government that I can see that these can finally be resolved.

How has it been, being in government? Do you miss being a lawyer?

I miss being a lawyer in the sense that I miss articulating matters in court.

When I first became a lawyer, I was interpreting and arguing the law as it is. But then you have a feeling that this is not how the law should be, this is unfair.

You then feel, why don't I get involved in the process of legislation? So, I became a legislator, suggested laws to be changed, and brought motions to Parliament. Generally, we (as the opposition) don't succeed, but that's not the point. It has been recorded that you have done that.

But after May 9, another opportunity came, for me to act as a policymaker. You steer the whole boat in a direction that people want. It's something I dreamt of but didn't think it would happen in my lifetime.

How do you feel about Daim playing a role in government, given the perception of him, with Anwar Ibrahim calling him the most corrupt man in Malaysia?

Let bygones be bygones.

Daim has succeeded in many ways on his own, dealing with the financial crisis for example. He has his own track record, he was successful in all that.

He has a part to play in this government. Just before the general election, he came out to support Harapan and these are factors that we have to consider.

Why did he come out? He can be very comfortable with Umno, but he was looking at the future of the younger generation in particular.

By him coming out and leading this Council of Eminent Persons, it is one of the most fantastic thoughts of Mahathir, because that gives an avenue for members of the public who want to make suggestions... you can now go to this group and express your suggestions.

Otherwise, all the ministers will be there just to listen to the problems of the people and they'll be jammed. At least now I can move on and get on with my ministry. Daim is able to do the cushioning part of it.

Plus, what he gives are just recommendations, anyway.

Tomorrow: Kula seeks win-win solution for migrant workers problem

Earlier Report: From alleged plunder to murder – minister vows probe into MIC scandals