Malaysia in 2002: Bracing for a Post-Mahathir Future

Summary

Introduction

Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's unexpected announcement at the 2002 UMNO General Assembly of his intention to resign on 22 June was one of the most baffling developments for the country. Although his detractors had long clamoured for his stepping down but were almost resigned to tolerating his prolonged tenure, they too were surprised and puzzled by the timing of his resignation. Coincidentally, the second largest Malay party, the Islamic Party of Malaysia (PAS) also lost its leader a day after Mahathir made his own announcement to give up his premiership. Fadzil Noor, president of PAS for the last thirteen years, died on 23 June 2002. With the passing of moderate leader Fadzil Noor, there is speculation that PAS will take on a more hardline Islamic stand under the stewardship of Hadi Awang. The year 2002 was thus the penultimate year of Mahathir rule. On the surface, it passed by quietly for the country, although deeper within lies the makings of many future turbulences.

Transition or Continuity?

Mahathir's scheduled exit has become a subject of great reflection as to whether Malaysia in 2002 had entered a transition phase that will divide its Mahathir years from a post-Mahathir era. Will there be a continuity that will see the Mahathir legacy seamlessly enmeshed with the policies of his successor or will his departure mark a crucial political watershed? Most opted to see the future of Malaysia in the former, stable sense. Wary of what would await the future, moves were started by some quarters in October 2002 to pedal arguments and a “moral” plea for him to consider staying on, until this possibility was quickly denied by the Prime Minister's own son. Mahathir himself is unlikely to contest in the next election due in 2004.

Perhaps what was behind this momentum to prolong Mahathir's leadership was the rise of increasingly fractious national issues and political dilemmas all set to pepper post-Mahathir Malaysia.