Welcome back Mahathir Mohamad, Hero of Asia!

Welcome back Mahathir Mohamad, our favorite 92 year old PM of Malaysia! Malaysia was one of the centers of the great Arya civilization for thousands of years; now enriched by Confucianism, Taoism, Chinese Buddhism, Islam, and expats the world over. One of the most diverse and immigration friendly countries in the world. One of the most pro business, pro capitalist, pro globalization, pro neo-liberal, pro enlightenment values, and pro moderate Islam countries in the world. A country that fought against the full might of the Soviet Union, China and the global communist block and won. A shining city on a hill. A self assured, self confident Asian Tiger without inferiority complex. One of last great bastions resisting the global post modernist wave.

Mahathir Mohamad helped transform Malaysia from a poor country into a developed OECD rich country with an education system envied by the rest of the world. Mahathir is one of the world’s great and respected elders. I have greatly admired him since childhood, and for many years read Malaysian and Singapore journals and newspapers. Mahathir at times gave constructive feedback to other countries, but his “criticism” always had a wisdom to it; even when I didn’t fully agree. Mahathir always fought against European, Americans, and Eastern block post modernism and explained how they had infected global NGOs and global human rights organizations. He pointed out the muddied confused mixed up self contradictory sermonizing of Americans. Fought against Islamism and very conservative interpretations of the hadiths and Sharia while being friends with oppressed muslim minorities and moderate muslims. Fought against marxism and socialism. And was one of the most effective critics of post modern confusion.

I quoted Mahathir Mohamad in my undergraduate humanities courses, especially anthropology and history. There was no better example of how “darkies”, “Asians”, “muslims” were indescribably more powerful than the worst nightmares and most wondrous dreams of the post modernists. Never victims. Never oppressed. Never weak. Never needing the help of post modernist “allies”. Never needing pity. Never apologizing for choosing economic development. Never apologizing for academic, economic and social success. Never apologizing for being a made up “oppressor”. Never apologizing for having privilege. Never apologizing for resisting marxism, communism, socialism and post modernism. Never apologizing for resisting Islamism and extreme interpretations of Shariah. Mahathir did what needed to be done to stop Islamists–even when America, Europe, and global “human rights” organizations savaged him for being evil. Mahathir was able to prevent Al Qaeda from destroying the Petronas Towers (the two tallest skyscrapers in the world for many years).

Mahathir offered good advice and help to the Philippines–which has fought a war with Islamists since 1899. And a tough war against Al Qaeda/Daesh since 1993. Similarly Mahathir offered advise and help to Thailand–which has lost thousands of her citizens to Islamist terrorism, many linked to Al Qaeda. Mahathir understood the need for dialogue with extremists. Mahathir  was skilled persuading Islamists to become conservative muslims who didn’t impose their views on others or moderate muslims.

Mahathir’s brave Malaysian Army soldiers in their Condor infantry fighting vehicles rescued American special forces in the First Battle of Mogadishu:

Malaysian troops served alongside Kiwis in Bamiyan province, Afghanistan and many other theaters around the world serving their fellow human.

Here is a recent comment from Mahathir on Sharia:

A majority of Malaysians now favor strict implementation of Sharia law and hardline Islamist parties play an increasingly prominent role in politics. What role do you see Islam playing in the future of Malaysia?

There was this formation of an Islamic party which is something that is quite wrong because you cannot take Islam for yourself. Islam belongs to everybody. This Islamic party tries to make use of so-called Islamic laws in order to gain support. But it’s not even Islamic law, it is far more severe. During my time, they had this proposal to impose Sharia law. I had to fight against them. The moment I stepped down they came back with this proposal. Najib found it convenient to entertain them because he was losing grip over the Muslim Malays. So he backed the Islamic party and their demand for Sharia. And because of that, we are now more divided than ever.

Mahathir Mohamed was at once best friends with the Palestinians and best friends with Israel. An example the whole world should follow.