The pragmatic style of our PM Mahathir is admirable
Published on: Sunday, March 17, 2019
By: Datuk John Lo
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The interview he gave to South China Morning Post, which is reputedly Asia’s most respected newspaper, in Manila during his official visit shows two important aspects:
[a] Tun M’s no-nonsense style, straight shooting.
His approach has earned him further respect from the international community, more so among smaller nations, not many of which have the courage or the political will to act like Tun M.
[b] This interview has a lot of economic implications for Malaysia [and Sabah], which I will go into next.
Economic impacts of Tun M’s interview.
Tun M’s interview in Manila sets out Malaysia’s economic stands on many geopolitical issues which will have long term implications.
He is very clear where he wants to position Malaysia in regards to the current US/China trade war, Malaysia’s relationship with US and China respectively, South China Sea and Asean. I have selected some of these aspects below for this article.
On American accusations of Huawei/5G
The American are getting very nervous about Huawei/5G. For the first time in history, US is overwhelmed with the taunting prospects of being overtaken in technology. on a number of fronts.
Over a very short span of 10 years [from 2008], China has caught up or overtaken US. China has poured into huge financial resources to do that.
Huawei/5G is just one. China is now leading in environmental rehabilitation, able to land on the dark side of the moon, wind solar technology and others.
Taken all these together, the US government, not being accustomed as a “2nd fiddle” to China, has been using every means to stop Huawei/5G.
Some of them are downright nasty ones. Against Western’s basic rule of law that a person is innocent unless proven guilty, US is saying that Huawei/5G is guilty of spying without proving an iota of wrong doing.
US has turned to proverbial “cry wolf” and entered a systemic and illogical panic.
Classic Tun M when he says that Malaysia will make our independent decision on Huawei/5G. With these few words, he has achieved to put across:
[a] To China and USA, Malaysia would not take side on this issue notwithstanding Trump has threatened repercussions on its allies in sharing of intelligence and economic sanctions.
UK, Germany and Italy have confirmed they would not complied. Turkey has ignored Trump and has bought more than US$400 million military equipment from Russia.
[b] More importantly, Tun M is telling Peking that Malaysia will not cow down to USA.
[c] Malaysia will not take side because we can take care of ourselves economically and militarily.
[d] By saying we will conduct our own assessment means the American accusations on Huawei/5G have no conclusive evidence.
[e] Tun M has left the door open for Malaysia to adopt Huawei/5G. This is important for Huawei/5G is a lot more advance and cheaper than any western 5G versions.
Huawei/5G has more than 50 pc of world’s patented inventions of 5G technology.
[f] Using Huawei/5G can leapfrog Malaysia into the digital age faster.
Tun M’s pragmatic view on China/Malaysia relationship.
His comments on China/Malaysia is absolute par excellence which every Malaysian should be proud off.
Notwithstanding past BN/China relationship, Tun M’s stand is pragmatic.
He said Malaysia would not quarrel with the No.2 super power, the Chinese market is the largest in the world and not in Malaysia’s interest to cause offence.
Tun M’s reaffirmation that he wishes to work with China is exemplary economic leadership.
He said fear of China does not solve anything.
He will find ways to work with China as it is Malaysia’s largest trading partner.
His message is very clear to Peking, Tun M is not anti-China but don’t expect him to “cross the red line”.
Here I quote Tun M “When China was poor, we were frightened of China.
When China is rich, we are also frightened of China,” he said.
“I think we have to find some way to deal with China.” This is wisdom.
Notwithstanding on-going hiccups pertaining to previous contracts by BN government, he welcomes investments from China provided they are productive for Malaysia.
To prove the statements he has made, Tun M is first world leader to confirm attendance China’s 2019 1Belt 1 Road Conference in April.
The best message he has for China is simply this.
If Malaysia is forced to take side on the US/China trade war, Malaysia will go with China for two reasons:
[a] China has been consistent in her approach with Malaysia and other countries. China has never invaded or colonise Malaysia. The west has.
[b] Trump is a bit “gila gila”. May be that is too strong.
I will take it back and simply say that Trump is a loose cannon.
Tun M’s pragmatic view on USA/Malaysia relationship.
This can be summarised in one sentence.
USA is important for Malaysia but Trump is unpredictable and difficult to do business with.
His advice for the world on China.
Tun M said when China was poor the fear was her export of communist ideology.
Now that China is powerful and rich, some countries harbour fear of her economic power.
The answer is to understand Chinese strategies and policies thereby gaining benefits from them.
On China’s so-called debt trap being spread around by America and allies, he simply said that it is up to the recipient country to decide to accept or reject the offer of assistance.
Tun M is showing the world how to deal with China by saying that he would not accept projects that Malaysia cannot afford.
This is a perfectly reasonable point to make and I think the Chinese would appreciate this.
What should Sabah do?
Finally, Sabah’s option is crystal clear. Our economic future lies with China not US.
I hope my own state Sabah will take note of Tun M’s interview for our economic road map. Sabah can forget USA for these reasons:
[a] Sabah produces little that USA needs.
[b] USA is too far away.
[c] Prospects of American tourists coming to Sabah is not good, never ever able to match Chinese arrivals.
[d] American investment will not come Sabah.
We should focus on China for:
[a] Investment.
[b] more and higher spending tourists.
[c] Markets for our produce which Sabah has not really started yet, like durians and high value crops.
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