Mahathir warns of freedom risks - Malaysia

[dArKeR]

The Malaysian prime minister defended controls such as the detention without trial of terror suspects and the banning of communists from elections.

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad defended his democratic record and predicted strong economic growth in an upbeat final parliamentary appearance yesterday on the eve of retirement.

Facing opposition questioning for the last time after 22 years in power, Mahathir warned that too much freedom could lead to anarchy in Malaysia's multiracial society and made a strong call for national unity.

"As I retire from the nation's highest elected office, I call upon every Malaysian to rise to the occasion to face the challenges as they emerge and shoulder the responsibilities of citizenship," he said.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2003/10/31/2003074042

[baby_bear]

1. Sound like anyone we know?

<snip from the same article>
Mahathir defended controls such as the detention without trial of terrorism suspects and the banning of communists from elections as essential to maintaining democracy.

While the government believed in free speech, he said, it also had to ensure that racial sentiments in Malaysia's multicultural society were not inflamed.

He described national unity as the country's greatest asset.
</snip>

I bet they have those "free speech" areas in Malaysia just like W has. Oh boy. Look at the template we have created for the world.

s_m