 |
| Photo by Greg Cope |
| Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah
Ahmad Badawi is expected to assume the country’s
leadership in Oct. 2003. |
Deputy Prime Minister YAB Dato' Seri Abdullah Ahmad
Badawi is well-suited to maintain the political
stability that has been key to Malaysia’s phenomenal
development, once he assumes power when Prime Minister
Dato’ Seri Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad steps down,
a move expected in October.
A seasoned bureaucrat with an illustrious career,
Badawi is well-prepared to tackle the issues of dwindling
foreign direct investment (FDI), simmering Islamic
extremism, and education reform with which Malaysia’s
leaders are now grappling.
With past experience cultivated through portfolios
in Home Affairs, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Education,
Badawi is a well-rounded individual with expertise
spanning all facets of national and international
issues.
“As a cabinet member, the deputy in the party
and in the government,” says Badawi, “I
am aware of all the important issues and matters concerning
[our] policies. I have given my views.”
As Deputy Prime Minister, Badawi’s selection
as the next prime minister was logical. Named as the
Prime Minister’s successor when Mahathir originally
announced his resignation in June 2002, Badawi will
have had 16 months to prepare when he eventually assumes
Mahathir’s position.
In March and April of this year, Badawi led the country
as Acting Prime Minister when Mahathir took a two-month
leave of absence following the success of February’s
Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) summit in Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysia now chairs the NAM.
In somewhat of a contrast to Mahathir’s strong,
domineering personality, Badawi has a more subtle,
understated presence. When Mahathir enters a room,
one feels himself in the presence of a lion; with
Badawi, one is as relaxed as a lamb.
Badawi is the kind of man who, with a beaming
smile, will invite guests to join him in his inconspicuous
residence and serve them coffee himself, without
the slightest indication that he has more important
matters to which to attend. Badawi is at once a
gracious host and carefully analytical leader.
Few expect Badawi’s differing personal communication
style to translate into a change in government policies,
however. The transition is expected to be smooth,
and Badawi indicates that he intends to maintain the
status quo.
Over the coming years, Badawi seeks to continue Malaysia’s
stable development while pursuing Mahathir’s
Vision 2020 objectives of continued technological
advance and strengthened human capital. “These
are very much my objectives and my vision too,”
he says.
“I see no reason why I should change [our current]
policies just to give policies my own name,”
he explains. “This will not be a change in regime;
the national parties that form our government are
not changing. It is just a change in the leadership
of the party, that’s all.”
In October, Badawi will inherit the leadership position
in a country demonstrating steady economic growth,
despite instability in the world economic environment.
The Asian financial crisis of 1997-1998 “built
internal resistance,” he says.
In the past few months, Badawi has been particularly
vocal about boosting the customer-service orientation
of Malaysia’s bureaucracy. His goal is to promote
transparency and increase efficiency, making Malaysia
an even more attractive place of business for foreign
investors.
On the international front, Badawi is a strong proponent
of continued South-South collaboration and expects
the solid cooperation that has existed between Malaysia
and the United States for decades to continue. “We
have very good, balanced relations with the United
States in many areas,” says Badawi, “especially
in economic areas, in security and fighting terrorism,
and in education programs.”
Malaysia is a country largely dependent on international
trade. “We are an economy that is exposed to
the world,” says Badawi. “For us to succeed
politically, we must succeed economically.”
The country is currently in the process of bolstering
internal demand and seeking out regional trade and
investment opportunities. This, however, does not
signal a shift in trade relations between Malaysia
and the U.S. “We are very appreciative that many
American firms have remained committed to Malaysia,”
says Badawi.
Malaysia is looking to continue to grow trade with
the U.S. “The U.S. provides some cushion for
being over-exposed to international trade. I am optimistic
that trade between our two nations will remain at
a very high level.”
Many of Malaysia’s neighbors are pursuing free
trade agreements with the U.S. “We are [also]
in pursuit of free trade,” says Badawi.
Malaysia has a keen regard for a continuation of the
“prosper thy neighbor approach” to growth,
he explains. It promotes international dialogue with
developing countries to “develop smart partnerships
for win-win situations.”
Malaysia will continue to host the Langkawi International
Dialogue, which gathers representatives from around
the developing world to develop partnerships among
the public and private sectors in many countries.
“South-South cooperation is very much a NAM and
an [Organization of Islamic Conference] OIC objective,”
says Badawi. Malaysia will accept the chairmanship
of the OIC in October.
“Internationally there needs to be relationships
based on mutual respect for territorial integrity,
respect for difference in culture and in language,”
says Badawi.
“Not all of us are at the same level of economic
development, but we all desire recognition and respect.
Trade and innovation can help. Malaysia has to be
future-oriented in fostering South-South cooperation.”
Badawi sees more emphasis placed on economic aspects
as NAM countries continue their dialogue.
“We must [also] be very strong about defending
multilateralism and the role of the United Nations,
despite any weaknesses it may have. All members deserve
equality [in representation].”
As a growing, global trade-oriented economy, Malaysia
is very exposed to what happens internationally. “Our
biggest challenge is the global uncertainty”
surrounding the war in Iraq, and the global economic
slowdown in the aftermath of 9/11, he explains.
Although Malaysia has been strongly opposed to the
U.S.-led war in Iraq, Badawi perceives no change in
the historically strong political ties between Malaysia
and the U.S.
“The future of our relations will remain robust.”
Badawi is a firm believer in free trade and in encouraging
foreign investment and increased tourism to his country.
“More Americans should come here. There is nothing
better than seeing because seeing is believing.” |
