Mahathir Discerns Threat From 'Ethnic European' Colonizers : A Fiery Warning in Malaysia
International Herald Tribune
June 19, 1999
Thomas Fuller

A lot has changed in Malaysia during the last few months. Political wounds over the dismissal of Anwar Ibrahim as deputy prime minister are healing, and there are indications that the country is recovering from the deepest recession that postindependence Malaysia has known.

But to hear Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad tell it on Friday, Malaysia is fighting for its existence, attacked by "ethnic Europeans" who have no faith in people "when their skin color is brown" and who are intent on recolonizing the country.

"Ethnic Europeans still have the desire to rule the world, to colonize, if not directly, then at least indirectly, by dominating the weak countries," he said in a keynote address to his party Friday that was televised nationally.

"The list of despicable acts by ethnic Europeans on us is long and I am unable to name them all," he said to the audience, which included diplomats from a dozen European and Asian countries.

"Sometimes it crosses my mind that the foreigners and their media's hatred toward Malaysia stems from Malaysia being a country coincidentally ruled by a party comprising Muslims."

He added: "Many among them are of the opinion that Muslims cannot possibly succeed, more so when their skin color is brown."

Some analysts attributed Mr. Mahathir's fiery words to the prospect of impending elections.

The prime minister is expected to call national elections soon, and tough anti-foreign language tends to resonate in his party and in the country as a whole. Mr. Mahathir has been in power for 18 years, and for many younger Malaysians anti-foreign rhetoric is all they have known.

Following the dismissal of Mr. Anwar last September, many Malaysians believe that Mr. Mahathir's governing coalition could face a tougher challenge at the ballot box than in previous years, although few analysts expect the prime minister and his political allies to lose. The coalition currently has a huge majority in Parliament.

Mr. Mahathir received rousing applause during and after his speech Friday, which lasted nearly two hours. Party members also displayed, at least outwardly, strong loyalty. When the chairman of the party asked all those who support Mr. Mahathir to stand up, the more than 2,000 people in the hall immediately rose to their feet.

There was no immediate reaction to the speech from diplomats in Kuala Lumpur on Friday. But in the past foreign envoys and business people have shrugged off Mr. Mahathir's attacks on foreigners, saying that it is intended for the home audience.

During his speech, he accused foreigners of trying to sabotage Malaysia's economic recovery by lowering the country's credit ratings and of trying to undermine Malaysia's stability by supporting Mr. Anwar.

"If we wish to avoid recolonization by foreign powers, we must realize that our independence and our freedom can be lost within a short period," he warned. "When independence is lost, it is not easily restored. The process of restoring independence will take a long time, perhaps a few centuries."

Mr. Mahathir said foreigners had helped foment unrest during street demonstrations in support of Mr. Anwar late last year in Kuala Lumpur, and he made a veiled reference to Vice President Al Gore of the United States, who spoke in Kuala Lumpur at a meeting of Pacific Rim leaders last November.

"The people were instigated to hold street demonstrations and riots," Mr. Mahathir said. "This effort was clearly supported by foreigners and the foreign media including the leader of a certain country who made a speech here urging the people to riot, to topple the government."

Mr. Gore's exact words were: "Among nations suffering economic crisis, we continue to hear calls for democracy in many languages, 'People Power,' 'Doi Moi,' 'Reformasi.' We hear them today — right here, right now — among the brave people of Malaysia."

The paradox for Mr. Mahathir and Malaysia is that the country has always extended a large welcome mat to foreigners, including tourists. The United States is the country's largest investor and trade partner. Top European and American companies are actively encouraged to set up factories here — and do in large numbers.

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