This refers to the editorial, “Ironman returns” (May 14). Mahathir Bin Mohamad has stunned the world by his resounding victory in the Malaysian elections. Mohamad fought the elections on anti-corruption plank and targeted outgoing Prime Minister Najib Razak's monumental financial scam and media curbs. The grand old man's win also made sure that Malaysia will be governed by a coalition Government for the first time. Not that Mahathir is a novice to politics; far from that because he ruled Malaysia with an iron fist from 1981 to 2003. During Mahathir's rule, the judiciary and the Press were cut down to size; and the Opposition was reduced to a non-entity. Following his stepping down as Prime Minister, Mahathir ensured his trusted lieutenants were in charge of Malaysia's fortunes; though they brought disrepute to Mahathir and Malaysia by their misdeeds.
His task, however, is cut out. Apart from his focus on freeing Malyasia from the corrupt ways of Rajak, Mahathir rode to power with promises to abolish the much-unpopular Goods and Service Tax and to reintroduce fuel subsidies. It looks like Mahathir is on the right track — he has announced the creation of Council of Elders to counsel him on financial issues. Wily customer with 70-years of political experience, Mahathir has revealed his inclination to have an able Cabinet filled with talent to undo the wrongs of Razak. Mahathir, Malaysia's father of modernisation, has to reinforce a sense of national identity and pride he was once known to have instilled in his countrymen.