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By Mihar Dias
©️ Copyright July 2023
In a recent video released by the Malaysian Gazette, Tun Mahathir Mohamad made an interestingly bold assertion regarding his international recognition compared to other past and present Malaysian Prime Ministers.
During a media session held at the Auditorium Hotel Sama-Sama KLIA in Sepang, Tun Mahathir confidently proclaimed himself as the one and only Malaysian Prime Minister who is well-known internationally.
Tun Mahathir's statement sheds light on the awareness of Malaysia's head of government amongst foreign nations from his perspective.
According to Tun Mahathir, individuals from other countries remain unfamiliar with the current Prime Minister of Malaysia, who is hardly a year in office. At the same time, he continues to be recognized globally.
This assertion underscores Tun Mahathir's enduring presence in Malaysian politics, having served as the country's Prime Minister for more than 20 years in two non-consecutive terms. His extensive experience and global exposure lend credibility to his claim and attest to his popularity and recognition on the world stage.
In addition, his trip to Turkiye on invitation by the country's President to discuss the possibility of holding an international conference on the cooperation for a Muslim power bloc is a testament to his enduring popularity.
Erdogan is planning a conference in September or October as a follow-up event to the Kuala Lumpur Summit held in 2019, in what is seen as the Turkish leader's continued support for the former prime minister's proposal for a new Muslim power bloc.
Meanwhile, back to the media session held at the Auditorium Hotel Sama-Sama KLIA, Tun Mahathir emphasized the significance of international recognition for any Malaysian Prime Minister.
He highlighted how such recognition could impact Malaysia's international stature and diplomatic relations. By asserting that his name remains closely associated with the position, Tun Mahathir implies that his tenure has left a lasting mark locally and even among people from other countries.
While the video does not provide specific examples or context supporting Tun Mahathir's claim, it offers intriguing insights into the perception and knowledge of Malaysia's leadership beyond its borders from the first-hand account of a former prime minister whose audacious view of himself is hard to dispute.
Additionally, his statement subtly suggests criticisms of the current Prime Minister with whom he has a pending court case over a suit on defamation he has filed against the latter.
Anyway, this bold claim serves as a reminder of Tun Mahathir's influential role and lasting impact on Malaysia's reputation on the world stage that may never be outshone by others after him in years to come.
In the words of Shakespeare, Tun Mahathir "is not a poor player," who "struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more."
Tun Mahathir's reputation will endure no matter how hard his successors or detractors may try to eradicate the impact of his personality on the local scene.
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