In the case of foreign affairs, we want to maintain good relations with all countries regardless of their policies, we do not want to favor any country, we want to ensure that the market for Malaysia is as large as possible. Mahathir Mohamad More Quotes by Mahathir Mohamad More Quotes From Mahathir Mohamad As far as Malaysia is concerned, Singapore is a foreign country. Mahathir Mohamad farmalaysiasingaporecountry Whenever I am asked who I admire most among the leaders I have met, I have no hesitation in naming Nelson Mandela. Mahathir Mohamad namingi-amwhoadmire Looking back now, I realise why, as prime minister of Malaysia, I was described as a dictator. There were many things I did which were typically dictatorial. Mahathir Mohamad lookingbackthingslooking-back Free press is not absolute. In this country, we say clearly if you start stirring up racial hatred, then we will put a stop to it. We might even close down your paper, because these things can only lead to a lot of riots and bloodshed. Mahathir Mohamad downstartyoucountry For me, to say I want to go to sleep and retire and prepare for my afterlife, I think that is very selfish. Mahathir Mohamad thinkmeselfishsleep All leaders must have some power. Without power, you can't be a leader. Mahathir Mohamad someyouleaderpower In Malaysia, trials have always been fair. Mahathir Mohamad fairalwaysmalaysiatrials The Chinese are welcome to invest in industries in Malaysia. But just as we would not welcome mass immigration of Indians or Pakistanis or Europeans or Africans into Malaysia, we have to adopt the same stance on Chinese immigration into Malaysia. Mahathir Mohamad justmalaysiawelcomeimmigration Malaysia has got all the things in place to continue growth: the policies are there; the mechanisms are there. So, I think even when I am not around, Malaysia can do with other people who are converse with our policies. Mahathir Mohamad i-amthinkgrowthpeople Being a medical practitioner enables me to get in touch with people, understand their problems, feel sympathetic towards them, and the natural thing is to want to help them, and if you become a politician and if you are successful, you can help them even more. Mahathir Mohamad meyoumedicalpeople Malaysia is particularly sensitive: we have three races here and 29 different tribes. If you allow people to say what they like, there will be violence, confrontations, and all that. We need stability. Mahathir Mohamad willyouviolencepeople Why do I want to remove Najib? I should have thought the whole world would know. This man steals money. Not a few hundred dollars, not a few thousand dollars - he stole billions of dollars, and that has been verified by investigations here in Malaysia and the U.S. Mahathir Mohamad thoughtmanmoneyworld I know I'm not popular with all the people. Remember, I am 'cruel' or a 'pharaoh.' That's all right. In politics, you get called all types of names. Mahathir Mohamad i-amyoupoliticspeople There are certain things that we can deal with by following the rules. But at times, we find the rules restrict you from doing the right things. On such occasions, we have to rethink - either you change the rules or break the rules. Mahathir Mohamad rulesdoingyouchange The thinning of the ozone layer is blamed on logging of tropical forests. The fact that the burning of fossil fuels and release of CFCs (chloro-fluoro-carbons) into the atmosphere occur largely in the rich countries are significantly ignored. Mahathir Mohamad fossil-fuelsfacttropicalrich Not many dictators announce their resignation, but I did because I didn't want to stay on and overstay my welcome. Mahathir Mohamad stayresignationwelcomewant Democracy must be internally generated. You cannot force it from the top - it's not going to work. Mahathir Mohamad youforcedemocracywork A lawyer wants to get his client off the hook. And even if he knows the client is guilty, he is going to find ways and means of getting him off the hook. Mahathir Mohamad goingfindguiltylawyer
