Publication: The Business Times Date: 12 October 2004 Headline: Anwar’s political future blackened: Mahathir

Publication: Lianhe Zaobao Date: 12 October 2004 Headline: Ho Rih Hwa Leadership in Asia Public Lecture Series Mahathir: No chance for Anwar to make a come back

Publication: Lianhe Zaobao Date: 12 October 2004 Headline: Ho Rih Hwa Leadership in Asia Public Lecture Series Mahathir: No chance for Anwar to make a come back

Full translation Ho Rih Hwa Leadership in Asia Public Lecture Series Mahathir: No chance for Anwar to make a come back Retired Malaysia prime minister Mahathir Mohamad said that former deputy prime minister, Anwar Ibrahim is a homosexual and there is no chance for him to stage a come back..’ Mahathir said, "We are a very conservative society in Malaysia. We don't condone such acts. And he will make a lot of noise. The foreign press, of course, will give him a lot of publicity. But some qualities are not very well appreciated in Malaysia. And being a homosexual sort of disqualifies him in the eyes of the majority of the people in Malaysia." Anwar will try to make a return to Malaysian politics Mahathir said he had no doubt that Anwar will try to make a return to Malaysian politics. "But it will be a futile effort. He can cause a lot of problems but I think the present government will be able to handle that. As for me, I’m retired and out of the picture", he added. Mahathir sacked Anwar in September 1998. In his reply to a question posted to him at the Ho Rih Hwa Leadership in Asia Public Lecture Series at Suntec Singapore yesterday, Mahathir maintained that Amwar was jailed on sodomy and corruption charges and not because of the political differences between them. Mahathir re-stated his assertion that Anwar was released from jail only because of an administrative blunder. He said rapists and murderers could also now dodge Malaysia's legal system on technicalities. "So if you feel like murdering, come to Malaysia". Anwar and human rights groups maintained the charges were trumped up to prevent him from challenging Mahathir, whose 22-year reign as Malaysian leader ended when he retired in October last year. Singapore – Malaysia problems have been relegated to the background Dr Mahathir, on whether he thought the new leaders of Singapore and Malaysia would be better able to resolve outstanding bilateral issues, said, ‘When I became PM in 1981, I met Mr Lee Kuan Yew. The relationship was very nice initially but we never knew what would happen later. So I am very glad that all the problems that I created have now been relegated to the background. I hope they'll never come back.' Asia countries should not be subservient to their western counterparts Asia’s leaders have allowed the West to colonise their minds and remain beholden to Europeans, said Mahathir in his speech here yesterday. Mahathir delivered a lecture on the theme of Asian leadership at the Ho Rih Hwa Leadership in Asia Public lecture series, organized by the Singapore Management University yesterday. The lecture attracted an audience of 2000 people, including businessmen, members of parliament, students and foreign dignitaries. 'We are all hegemonised. We are not independent. Certainly our minds have already been colonised. And when the minds are colonised, physical colonisation is not necessary,' he said. Dr Mahathir drew a link between subservience to the West and terrorism, saying: 'Those who kowtow too much to the ethnic Europeans should not be surprised if their people will rise against them, will commit acts of terror.' He argued that the initiative in these countries has passed to 'irregulars' because the governments seem to have failed the people. 'Asian leaders have a choice. Assume and assert true leadership, seize the initiative in terms of ideas and thoughts, and restore self-respect or face the humiliation of foreign hegemony and the contempt of their own people,' he warned, without identifying anyone in particular. He also cited Asian leaders' handling of a proposal for an East Asian Economic Caucus as an example of their waiting to be led.

Publication: The Straits Times Date: 12 October 2004 Headline: Dr M: West has colonised Asian leaders’ minds

Publication: TODAY Date:12 October 2004 Headline: Dr M came, he spoke, he charmed

Publication: TODAY Date:12 October 2004 Headline: Dr M came, he spoke, he charmed