Dr Mahathir's Selected Letters to World Leaders

by Mahathir Mohamad, Abdullah Ahmad (Editor)

Many leaders write memoirs but few risk sharing their official correspondence with the public. This second volume of 73 letters records frank discussions on many issues of great public concern. Those from Lee Kuan Yew and Goh Chok Tong stand out because they are sharp, business-like, meticulous and detailed. Letters from George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, General Pervez Musharraf, Saddam Hussein, Benazir Bhutto, Kofi Annan, F.W. de Klerk, John Major, King Abdullah II and others are direct and simple. Dr Mahathir’s letter to Pope John Paul II is the essence of the man. Always thoughtful, he wrote a warm letter to Nelson Mandela when he was released from prison.

The result is a book of opinion. The correspondents’ candour is to be enjoyed, particularly Dr Mahathir’s exchanges with Lee Kuan Yew and Goh Chok Tong. Whether the views expressed are far-sighted or misinterpreted by those who share or reject them, they make for inspiring reading and are a great aid to achieve a better grasp of world events and diplomacy and the personalities who shaped them.

Dr Mahathir has long stood out as one of the most consequential prime ministers Malaysia has had. His letters here make an important contribution to the man’s achievements and non-achievements. They represent a good start to understanding Malaysian foreign policy, and should spur further inquiry. This book is a celebration of unusual personalities who ruled their countries between 1990 and 2003. The first volume was winner of the Popular-The Star Readers’ Choice Award in 2009.

Genres: Nonfiction

204 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2015

About the author

Tun Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad ( born 10 July 1925) (Jawi:محتير بن محمد) was the fourth Prime Minister of Malaysia. He held the post for 22 years from 1981 to 2003, making him Malaysia's longest-serving Prime Minister, and one of the longest-serving leaders in Asia. Mahathir's political career spanned almost 40 years, from his election as a Malaysian federal Member of Parliament in 1964, until his resignation as Prime Minister in 2003.

Reviews

[Dinesh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot has been said about this book. I would like to add this further point: This book stands as an examples('s?) of successful diplomatic writing. Model this book when you need to pen a message diplomatically.

[Rohana · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author is very pro founding, I love how he narrated on Tun Mahathir. Each letter clearly describe how much he contributed to the country, to Islam, and how wholesome of a person he is.