Dr Mahathir says a strong leader will turn down Pacific trade pact
Eileen Ng, The Malaysian Insider
Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad suggested today that prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak needs to prove he is a strong leader by rejecting the contentious Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA).
The former prime minister today referred to Najib’s comments on the need to have strong leaders to steer the country forward, saying the TPPA is another way for foreign powers to colonise it.
He added that it would be unwise for Putrajaya to rush through the negotiations.
“The quality of a strong leader is his willingness to stand up against foreign pressure and protect the interests of the country.
“If you can’t do that, then you are not considered a strong leader,” Mahathir (pic) said after launching the book, “TPPA : Malaysia is not for sale by the Malay Economic Action Council”.
Najib on Wednesday said poor leadership would lead Malaysia to disaster.
Using Brazil’s shocking 1-7 loss to Germany in the World Cup semi-finals as an analogy, Najib said: “When I watched Brazil, their defence was all over the place. I put it down to lack of leadership. There was no proper leadership.
“If that could happen to a football team, imagine what would happen to a country that does not have effective leadership… the answer is, we will end up like Brazil.” – July 11, 2014.
