Mahathir's legacy and the stability of Malaysia

Acepublisher .

Order the writing of a tailor-made Economy general Term papers

Free quote online

Thesis Format .doc

Mahathir's legacy and the stability of Malaysia

Download

Read an extract

Reader
Abstract
Contents
Extract

Abstract

Nowadays, Malaysia is known as a model of rapid development. Indeed, in the middle of the twentieth century, the economy of this country is agriculture-oriented and nothing hints any economic boom to come such as the one which occurs a few years later. The economic growth starts to soar as soon as Dr Mahathir bin Mohammad becomes Prime Minister in 1981. His influence over Malaysia is such that he embodies the economic progress of the country. The twenty-two years during which he does his best to put Malaysia on the path to modernity have contributed to build the hero image of Mahathir. However, his resignation in 2003 triggers several worries regarding the stability of the country as such a charismatic leader cannot be replaced easily. Moreover, the Malaysian society being completely different today than the one Mahathir knows when he becomes head of government, his successor already has to confront the legacy of his predecessor with a country which middle class is far more significant than it used to be. As a consequence, one might wonder how Mahathir's legacy can endanger the stability of Malaysia.

Introduction.
Mahathir and the outstanding development of Malaysia.
1. Modernity and entrepreneurship as a goal.
2. The choice of industrialisation.
3. Authoritarian policy and the economy.
Mahathir's legacy: Badawi's challenge.
1. Replacing a 'national hero'.
2. The flipside of Mahathir's reign.
3. Corruption and democracy.
Conclusion.
Bibliography.

Get this table of contents for free after login.

Extract

[...] The impact of this strong competition is that: “Malaysia remains at the assembly stage of many electrical and electronic products.”[10] The reason why Malaysia does not prevail over its competitors is because the two decades spent in Mahathir's authoritarian policy has prevented any academic freedom and original research from existing. Mahathir's decisions of ethnic based quotas in favour of Malay people and needs based quotas regarding entrepreneurship explains why the economy is hindered in several sectors. In the end, a greater academic freedom is required to raise the level of creative and critical thinking. [...]

[...] “Malaysia's future? Wait and see”. Asia Times. July 4th 2002 Anil Netto. “Malaysia in transition, but to where?”. Asia Times. January 17th 2003 Anil Netto. “Malaysia: Survival of the fittest”. Asia Times. November 1st 2003 Anil Netto. “Abdullah Badawi: Malaysia's tinker Asia Times. November 25th 2003 Anil Netto. “Malaysia walks in Mahathir's shadow” Asia Times. January 9th 2004 Anil Netto. “Malaysia's web of politics and business”. Asia Times. January 25th 2006. Anne Munro-Kua, Authoritarian Populism in Malaysia (London: MacMillan Press [...]

[...] Moreover, his plans reveal his confidence in the economic growth of Malaysia which would not be so strong without the authoritarian policy he enforces Authoritarian policy and the economy Behind the impressive development of Malaysia and the numerous policies launched in favour of the economic growth stands its charismatic leader between 1981 and 2003, Dr Mahathir. To insure his control over the country, he organises the centralization of the executive power in his office, which means that the concept of separation of power does not exist in Malaysia, and that there is no parliamentary democracy. [...]

[...] Jomo, Kwame Sundaram. Industrialising Malaysia: Policy, performance, prospects. London: Routledge Jomo, Kwame Sundaram. Growth and Structural Change in the Malaysian Economy. London: MacMillan LTD Internet resources from the website Asia Times Online (http://www.atimes.com) Keith Andrew Bettinger. “Malaysia banks on Mr Right”. Asia Times. November 27th 2003. Manjit Bhatia. “Malaysia's new premier : Altered stakes”. Asia Times. November 13th 2003. Ioannis Gatsiounis. “Malaysia's MSC: Super corridor or dead Asia Times. April 21st 2004. Baradan Kuppusamy. “Malaysia ponders Mahathir legacy”. Asia Times. [...]

[...] His involvement in the development of Malaysia is also illustrated by the emergence of a middle class as well as the ownership of houses and cars for most citizens. As a consequence, it is no wonder that some comments such as the impossibility of the country to survive without him are heard as he embodies the success of the development of Malaysia. Nevertheless, a successor has to be found as Mahathir is definitely leaving. The choice approved by Mahathir is the Deputy President of the UMNO Supreme Council, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who becomes Prime Minister in October 2003. [...]

doc