Restore Democracy, Mahathir Urges Pakistani
International Herald Tribune
March 29, 2000
Thomas Fuller

The prime minister of Malaysia, Mahathir bin Mohamad, delivered unusually firm words on the importance of democracy Tuesday in a meeting with Pakistan's military leader, General Pervez Musharraf.

The meeting came in the first leg of General Musharraf's four-nation tour of Southeast Asia to seek investment and political support. His next stops are Singapore, Indonesia and Brunei.

"Democracy is still the best form of government, despite all its flaws," Mr. Mahathir told General Musharraf, said the Malaysian foreign minister, Syed Hamid Albar, who attended the meeting.

The meeting highlighted General Musharraf's difficulties in gaining diplomatic favor since he seized power in October in a nonviolent coup.

The general might have expected a more sympathetic ear from Mr. Mahathir, who has consistently resisted attempts to pressure nondemocratic governments in the region, like that of Burma, which is ruled by the military.

General Musharraf's visit is seen as important because Malaysia is an influential member of the Commonwealth, the grouping of former British colonies that suspended Pakistan's membership soon after the October coup.

To the general, Mr. Mahathir stressed the importance of civilian rule.

"The prime minister told him that while he may have justification for doing what he has done, ultimately he has to go back to civilian rule and democracy," Mr. Syed Hamid said. "Even with its shortcomings, that system must be adopted. There is no way in the long run that you can justify the military government."

Analysts are puzzled about why Mr. Mahathir, whose political mantra is noninterference in other countries' affairs, would take such a firm stand on the restoration of democracy in Pakistan. He is not known to base his government's foreign policy on other countries' democratic credentials and frequently speaks about democracy's flaws.

"Mahathir has never been an exponent of Western liberal democracy," said Michael Leifer of the Asia Research Center at the London School of Economics. "He's always interpreted democracy to suit his own political context."

In a meeting with Malaysian corporate leaders Tuesday, General Musharraf made the case for "enhanced economic interaction" and underlined Pakistan's importance as a gateway to Central Asia and West Asia.

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