WHEN SOMALIA WILL PRODUCE A LEADER LIKE MAHATHIR MOHAMAD?
Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 2:57 pm
http://wardheernews.com/Articles_07/Sep ... abbas.html
When Somalia will produce a leader like Mahathir Mohamad?
By Mohamed Abbas Omar
07 Sept, 2007
If you want to know the destiny of any country, look its leadership. It is then undeniable fact that the bright future of any society depends primarily on the quality of its leaders. But so far, Somalis were not fortunate to have qualified leaders who can bring the Somalia misery to an end.
Since arriving in Malaysia 13 years ago, the obvious question that I have been asked by most Malaysians is: “why I chose to study in Malaysia all the way from Somalia?” and my answer has been the same since then: “I arrived to study here, not only because of Malaysia being a Muslim country and a centre of education excellence, but because I have been influenced by the views and ideas of its former Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, in which under his leadership, Malaysia became a model of prosperity, civil order, economic growth, political stability and social harmony throughout his 22-year-reign as Prime Minister (1981 – 2003)”.
Apart from my studies, I had a great deal of interest to comprehend Malaysia’s success story and how Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad has transformed Malaysia from a sleepy tin and rubber exporter into a vibrant industrialized nation in a very short period of time, a phenomenal success that did not take place elsewhere in the globe until today.
M. Abbas with Dr. Mahathir Mohamad
I still remember the last day of the fasting month of Ramadan when our university announced a visit to the Prime Minister’s residence. At that night, I went to my bed much earlier than usual, as I wanted to be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed in the following morning. And because of this, I had no need of my little alarm clock. My preparation was not only to celebrate Eid al-Fitr with the rest of Muslims in Malaysia, but also to meet their great leader, Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad. It was a double joyous moment for me. That night I was so excited that I could barely fall asleep.
I first met Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad way back in March 1995 at Sri Perdana, his previous official residence at the heart of Kuala Lumpur. It was the Prime Minister’s “Open House” ceremony. “Open house” is part of Malaysian culture in which a great deal of hospitality is extended to any visitor. As a fresh young student at that time, I was overwhelmed by the warmth with which I have been received at the Prime Minister’s open house. His warm welcome made me feel easy and relaxed.
Tun Dr. Mahathir received world recognition for spearheading the miracle and impressive growth of the Malaysian economy and its industrialization. His people owe him a great deal of respect for putting Malaysia on the world map. He is a man who liked to do things in his own way, and one can recall how he saved Malaysia in the wake of the 1997 Asian financial crisis.
While he was in New York to deliver his last speech as a Prime Minister at the United Nation General Assembly in September 2003, Tun Dr. Mahathir was asked how he SAVED Malaysia from 1997 financial crisis, an event that knocked down the whole continent including Japan. He replied: “Don’t listen to the International Monetary Fund (IMF)”. His argument was that getting loans from the IMF or World Bank would throw Malaysia deep into a heavy debt. Almost five years after that financial crisis, the then IMF managing director Horst Kohler had declared openly in Kuala Lumpur that Tun Dr. Mahathir was right in implementing the policy of capital control.
Other successful mega projects under his premiership include: the national car Proton, the tallest twin tower in the world, building the beautiful administrative capital of Putrajaya, Penang bridge, which is the Southeast Asia’s longest bridge built in the ocean, cyberspace, outerspace, Formula One circuit, the Multimedia Super Corridor, a flagship project in the field of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), world’s best airport for 15 - 25 million passengers per annum category, and vision 2020, which is Malaysia’s roadmap of becoming a developed nation.
Despite his tight and hectic schedule, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad is prolific writer. His publications include: The Challenges of Turmoil, A New Deal for Asia, The Malaysian Currency Crisis – How and Why it Happened, Reflection on Asia, Globalization and the New Realities, Malaysia’s Capital Market: Growth and Opportunities, The Malaysian System of Government, Towards A Stable Asia, Islam and the Muslim Ummah, The Way Forward, The Crisis of Global Capitalization. .
If you were in Malaysia the months before his retirement, you feel as though the whole country is in mourning. Today, Malaysia is even more stable and continuing to prosper further under the leadership of his successor, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. My meeting with Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad on 24th July 2007 in Kuala Lumpur, still serves as another glorious and unforgettable moment which I will treasure throughout my life.
With the exception of few undisputed Somali leaders such as Ahmed Gurey and Sayid Mohamed Abdullah Hassan, unfortunately Somalia has been producing tyrants, dictators, short-sighted secessionists, oppressors, and currently a bunch of warlords and betrayers.
Finally, if we want Somalia to be united, well-administered, economically strong, industrially competent and technologically advanced, then let’s pray Allah that Somalia will produce a great Muslim leader like Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad. Today Somalia needs a leader with a firm hand and far-sighted mind, whose primary concern is to unite the divided Somali society, to rebuild the destroyed nation and to put in place a working system and lasting legacy for both the living and the unborn Somalis.
Mohamed Abbas Omar
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Kismaayo91@hotmail.com
When Somalia will produce a leader like Mahathir Mohamad?
By Mohamed Abbas Omar
07 Sept, 2007
If you want to know the destiny of any country, look its leadership. It is then undeniable fact that the bright future of any society depends primarily on the quality of its leaders. But so far, Somalis were not fortunate to have qualified leaders who can bring the Somalia misery to an end.
Since arriving in Malaysia 13 years ago, the obvious question that I have been asked by most Malaysians is: “why I chose to study in Malaysia all the way from Somalia?” and my answer has been the same since then: “I arrived to study here, not only because of Malaysia being a Muslim country and a centre of education excellence, but because I have been influenced by the views and ideas of its former Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, in which under his leadership, Malaysia became a model of prosperity, civil order, economic growth, political stability and social harmony throughout his 22-year-reign as Prime Minister (1981 – 2003)”.
Apart from my studies, I had a great deal of interest to comprehend Malaysia’s success story and how Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad has transformed Malaysia from a sleepy tin and rubber exporter into a vibrant industrialized nation in a very short period of time, a phenomenal success that did not take place elsewhere in the globe until today.
M. Abbas with Dr. Mahathir Mohamad
I still remember the last day of the fasting month of Ramadan when our university announced a visit to the Prime Minister’s residence. At that night, I went to my bed much earlier than usual, as I wanted to be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed in the following morning. And because of this, I had no need of my little alarm clock. My preparation was not only to celebrate Eid al-Fitr with the rest of Muslims in Malaysia, but also to meet their great leader, Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad. It was a double joyous moment for me. That night I was so excited that I could barely fall asleep.
I first met Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad way back in March 1995 at Sri Perdana, his previous official residence at the heart of Kuala Lumpur. It was the Prime Minister’s “Open House” ceremony. “Open house” is part of Malaysian culture in which a great deal of hospitality is extended to any visitor. As a fresh young student at that time, I was overwhelmed by the warmth with which I have been received at the Prime Minister’s open house. His warm welcome made me feel easy and relaxed.
Tun Dr. Mahathir received world recognition for spearheading the miracle and impressive growth of the Malaysian economy and its industrialization. His people owe him a great deal of respect for putting Malaysia on the world map. He is a man who liked to do things in his own way, and one can recall how he saved Malaysia in the wake of the 1997 Asian financial crisis.
While he was in New York to deliver his last speech as a Prime Minister at the United Nation General Assembly in September 2003, Tun Dr. Mahathir was asked how he SAVED Malaysia from 1997 financial crisis, an event that knocked down the whole continent including Japan. He replied: “Don’t listen to the International Monetary Fund (IMF)”. His argument was that getting loans from the IMF or World Bank would throw Malaysia deep into a heavy debt. Almost five years after that financial crisis, the then IMF managing director Horst Kohler had declared openly in Kuala Lumpur that Tun Dr. Mahathir was right in implementing the policy of capital control.
Other successful mega projects under his premiership include: the national car Proton, the tallest twin tower in the world, building the beautiful administrative capital of Putrajaya, Penang bridge, which is the Southeast Asia’s longest bridge built in the ocean, cyberspace, outerspace, Formula One circuit, the Multimedia Super Corridor, a flagship project in the field of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), world’s best airport for 15 - 25 million passengers per annum category, and vision 2020, which is Malaysia’s roadmap of becoming a developed nation.
Despite his tight and hectic schedule, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad is prolific writer. His publications include: The Challenges of Turmoil, A New Deal for Asia, The Malaysian Currency Crisis – How and Why it Happened, Reflection on Asia, Globalization and the New Realities, Malaysia’s Capital Market: Growth and Opportunities, The Malaysian System of Government, Towards A Stable Asia, Islam and the Muslim Ummah, The Way Forward, The Crisis of Global Capitalization. .
If you were in Malaysia the months before his retirement, you feel as though the whole country is in mourning. Today, Malaysia is even more stable and continuing to prosper further under the leadership of his successor, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. My meeting with Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad on 24th July 2007 in Kuala Lumpur, still serves as another glorious and unforgettable moment which I will treasure throughout my life.
With the exception of few undisputed Somali leaders such as Ahmed Gurey and Sayid Mohamed Abdullah Hassan, unfortunately Somalia has been producing tyrants, dictators, short-sighted secessionists, oppressors, and currently a bunch of warlords and betrayers.
Finally, if we want Somalia to be united, well-administered, economically strong, industrially competent and technologically advanced, then let’s pray Allah that Somalia will produce a great Muslim leader like Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad. Today Somalia needs a leader with a firm hand and far-sighted mind, whose primary concern is to unite the divided Somali society, to rebuild the destroyed nation and to put in place a working system and lasting legacy for both the living and the unborn Somalis.
Mohamed Abbas Omar
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Kismaayo91@hotmail.com
