Last year, my website had the extraordinary privilege of scoring an exclusive interview with Malaysia's beloved two-time Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
To my surprise, Dr Mahathir agreed to join me for a 20-minute chat on my podcast, "30 Minutes with DailyStraits.com."
Despite my site's relative obscurity at the time, his willingness to participate was a pleasant shock. However, considering his busy schedule and recent hospitalization, he mentioned his ongoing recovery.
Dr Mahathir later disclosed to the New Straits Times that he had experienced a severe illness during his hospital stay, emphasizing the significance of everyone's prayers in his recuperation.
During our interview, which lasted 24 minutes, we delved into various topics, including Dr Mahathir's decision to transition from being a doctor to a politician.
Additionally, we explored his thoughts on his comparatively lower salary compared to his Singaporean counterpart.
This exchange has become one of the most widely discussed interviews organized by DailyStraits.com to date.
Now, let's discuss why Dr Mahathir's presence is of utmost importance for Malaysia.
Historically, Malaysia has often undervalued its precious gems while they are still among us.
Take, for instance, the treatment of the iconic P. Ramlee during his time.
It is crucial that we avoid repeating the same mistake with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
He deserves a senior position within the Malaysian cabinet, similar to the role Lee Kuan Yew held during his post-retirement tenure in Singapore.
After retiring as Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew continued to serve as a senior statesman in Singapore.
His invaluable experience and wisdom were respected and sought after, contributing to the nation's progress even after his formal leadership role.
While Lee Kuan Yew held a senior position within the Singaporean government, he adopted a less vocal approach due to his son leading the country.
Similarly, Dr Mahathir, who has no blood relatives in the current Malaysian cabinet, should be allowed to contribute his expertise in a senior capacity.
His outspoken nature reflects his dedication to addressing crucial issues and ensuring the welfare of our nation.
Therefore, Malaysia, I implore you to cease vilifying Dr Mahathir and treat him with the utmost respect.
His actions are driven by his genuine concern for the welfare of our nation. Let us learn from the past and recognize the value of our esteemed leaders while they are still with us.
As for my interview with Dr Mahathir, please see the video below if you wish to watch the Zoom interview.
My Zoom interview with Tun Dr. Mahathir which was conducted in March 2022.
June Ramli is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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