Reflections on Asean
Selected Speeches of Dr. Mahathir Mohamad,
Prime Minister of Malaysia

Edited By Hashim Makaruddin
April 2004
Pelanduk Publications
ISBN: 967-978-884-9
315 pages, Illustrated, 5 ½" x 8 ½"
$26.50 Paper Original

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Mahathir Mohamad, in this book, reflects on Asean and its role where it is heading. In So far as he is concerned, Asean should remain at the forefront of the foreign-policy priorities of each member nation. The rationale behind this thinking is that the vital role of Asean as a stabilizing force and as a catalyst in developing the economic resilience of the region cannot be denied. "We cannot prosper alone in a region that is in turmoil and unstable," Mahathir argues.

"To prosper we must have the kind of regional environment that is conductive to economic growth." This collection of speeches demonstrates Mahathir's continuous call for a stable and cohesive Asean, his caring attitude towards the well-being and prosperity of the Asean peoples and his concern over the organization succumbing to external pressures. Besides this, he also looks at such topics globalization, protectionism, Asian values, the Asian financial crisis, democracy and economic cooperation.

Mahathir demonstrates an uncanny ability to dissect intricate problems and concepts and present them in a coherent, rational and logical manner clear enough for everyone to understand. One could fault him for his bluntness and what sometimes appear to be acrid comments at the gross inequalities and double standards in the global economic political order, but one could not question his integrity or firm conviction in what he says.

Politics; Economics

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