politics
Documentary on 100-Year-Old Former Malaysian PM Mahathir Mohamad Wins Silver Medal at German Festival
The 100-year-old former Malaysian prime minister, who served more than 24 years in office, said he does not care about his legacy or being called a dictator. In the 65-minute film My Name is Mahathir, he discussed his transformation of Malaysia’s economy and his clash with current Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim over corruption in the 1990s. The documentary received an award last week.
May 14, 4:54 AM·1m read1 source
South China Morning PostAudio version
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A 65-minute Malaysian documentary titled My Name is Mahathir won a silver medal for documentaries at a media festival in Germany last week, South China Morning Post reported. The film chronicles the life of Mahathir Mohamad, who is 100 years old and served as prime minister for more than 24 years.
In it, the former prime minister of Malaysia recounts his political odyssey, from his ascent to the country’s top political post to his tumultuous relationship with his former protege, Anwar Ibrahim, who is now the current Prime Minister of Malaysia.
Mahathir Mohamad transformed Malaysia from an agrarian-based economy into a manufacturing powerhouse during his time in office. He maintained that he was undaunted by public sentiment throughout his decades-long career. “I’m always being asked what is my legacy.
I don’t care about it. They may identify me as a dictator, that is their right,” Mahathir Mohamad said in the documentary.
Mahathir Mohamad and Anwar Ibrahim clashed over their views on corruption in the 1990s. The clash over corruption led to Anwar Ibrahim’s sacking. Mahathir Mohamad acknowledged the impossibility of weeding out corruption – the issue that drove a wedge between him and his then-deputy Anwar Ibrahim.
The former prime minister reflected on these experiences in the documentary, which also explores the secret to his long-enduring marriage. South China Morning Post reported that Mahathir Mohamad has consistently stated he focused on what he believed was right regardless of criticism.
