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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, August 3, 2003

COMMENTARY
U.S. trying to 'out-terrorize the terrorists,' Malaysian leader says

By Susan Kreifels

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — "I want the U.S. to become popular once again," Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad recently told a handful of American journalists. "To be liked by the whole world."

Mahathir Mohamad criticizes the United States more openly now.

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And then, in response to questions raised about U.S. policy, Mahathir spent the next hour blasting the Bush administration's strategy "to out-terrorize the terrorists," the U.S. invasion of Iraq, and the U.S. media.

There was no doubt that Mahathir believes rebuilding U.S. popularity and credibility has become an increasingly difficult task.

The longtime leader, who will retire in October after 22 years in power, has never been one to mince words, especially regarding Western powers. But Malaysia, like other moderate Muslim nations, faces a complex challenge in maintaining good relations with the United States while not losing political ground to Islamic opposition groups.

After 9-11, Mahathir became a significant U.S. partner in the war on terrorism and was invited to the White House, signifying Malaysia's stronger relationship with the United States. But then came the war in Iraq, which Mahathir and the Malaysian public opposed.

"The United States just wants to stress its power ... to out-terrorize the terrorists," said Mahathir during the interview with journalists, participants in the East-West Center's Jefferson Fellowship Program. "You beat any one of our people, I will beat 10 of your people. You attack us, we will conquer your country and remove your government."

He believes the United States uses its ban on weapons of mass destruction campaign as an excuse to slap sanctions and take actions against nations. "The Muslim world is very frightened and at the same time very resentful. ... Even if you conquer, people will fight back. You can't just dominate people like that."

Mahathir, 77, said he had written letters to President Bush before the war with suggestions on how to improve the U.S. image in the world. But Mahathir has become outspoken recently in his opposition to the United States.

Mahathir said he wants the United States to return to the image of "benign superpower" and rely more on people activities such as the Peace Corps. The United States must "not be so quick to use power" but instead "look into the causes" of terrorism and remove them.

He believes the root of hatred is fed by the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Indeed, some Malaysians still wonder whether Jews might have been connected to the attack on the World Trade Center rather than al-Qaida.

The Palestinian problem is "a major issue with all Muslims, even (in) Malaysia. It's very far away, but we feel there is injustice.

"There is no inherent hatred between Jews and Arabs," Mahathir said, noting that Jews and Muslims lived together peacefully before the creation of Israel. "Palestinians must be allowed to go back to their homes. There must be no more settlements. If you resolve that, much of the bitterness (in the Muslim world) will be reduced."

Malaysia's ruling party has been shaken by the gains of the main Islamic opposition party, which now controls two of Malaysia's 13 states, has quadrupled its members in parliament at the most recent election, and declared a jihad, or holy war, against the United States. This opposition has labeled Mahathir's ruling party un-Islamic.

The government has begun to cut financial support to religious schools because they are "not teaching religion. They were teaching these people why we should hate the government."

Concern over the Islamic opposition is reflected in the choice of Mahathir's successor. He will transfer power this October to his deputy, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who, because of his religious background, "is much better qualified to deal with this problem of religion in domestic politics. ... He is much more credible than I am."

There is no doubt that Mahathir has been a visionary. His country has made impressive economic gains while maintaining a stable coexistence among its several races: Malays total 53 percent of the population, Chinese 26 percent, and Indians 8 percent. "You don't find many multiracial countries that are peaceful, where you can move around safely," he says.

Peaceful coexistence of the races is an often-repeated phrase in Malaysia. Indeed, the race riots of 1969 made an indelible mark on the country and they are still often raised in conversations with government officials as well as citizens in general. Multiracial harmony and stability are cited as justification for the Internal Security Act, which can detain people without the need for evidence or a trial. While recent arrests under the act of suspected Islamic militants have strengthened the war on terrorism and the relationship with the United States, critics have accused the government of using the act to go after political opponents. When asked about the ISA, supporters now counter with questions on the Patriot Act, passed by Congress after the Sept. 11 attacks to deter and punish terrorist acts and to enhance law enforcement in doing so.

Peaceful coexistence is also cited as a driving force behind censorship in the Malaysian press. Journalists themselves say they practice "self-censorship" of stories to avoid civil disturbances.

Mahathir concedes there are "some restrictions on the press. We don't want them to stir up racial feelings ... We must not support people who are trying to overthrow the government by force of arms."

Mahathir, however, notes that the U.S. press isn't necessarily free either. "Fox News is very much reflective of Mr. (Rupert) Murdoch's stand on the war ... ."

He believes news organizations such as Fox are "filtering" news and stressing too much patriotism. "Fox is just glorifying war. ... People cannot think straight. ... I do hope you will find that the emotional influence will taper off and common sense will prevail."

Asked to reflect over his many years as leader of Malaysia, he said he felt Malaysia has "found a formula that has worked." But he said he regrets that he hasn't been able to have greater influence on world events. "We are small. Nobody really listens to us," he said.

He is frustrated by what he sees as the weakening of the United Nations. "We look at the United Nations as the only organization that can give some protection to small countries like ourselves. When you see the U.N. completely incapable of stopping the U.S. ... I feel we have been deprived of the only protector we have. The actions by the United States were very damaging," he said.

He believes reforms are needed within the U.N. Security Council and that the veto power should be shared with non-permanent council members.

Some have suggested that Mahathir, after he leaves office, take a leadership role in improving relations between the United States and Muslim nations. But he doesn't give many clues about what he is planning. "As long as I can, I will write," he said.

Susan Kreifels, media services coordinator at the East-West Center, accompanied U.S. journalists to Malaysia, South Korea and Japan through the center's Jefferson Fellowships program.