Top 90 Mahathir Mohamad Quotes

Looking back now, I realise why, as prime minister of Malaysia, I was described as a dictator. There were many things I did which were typically dictatorial.

When the planes crashed into the World Trade Centre on September 11, 2001, Bush immediately identified what he thought was the true cause. It was because the Muslims were jealous of the freedom of the American people. It was because the Muslims were poor. This exposes a lack of understanding of things on his part.

Running a democratic country is one of the most difficult things for any government.

The Chinese are welcome to invest in industries in Malaysia. But just as we would not welcome mass immigration of Indians or Pakistanis or Europeans or Africans into Malaysia, we have to adopt the same stance on Chinese immigration into Malaysia.

In the eyes of the world, Malaysia has become a pariah state, a state where anyone can be hauled up and questioned by the police, detained, and charged through abusing laws of the country.

It would seem the people who want to preserve the Penans’ way of life are condemning them to a life full of diseases and a shorter life span.

I am glad to be labeled anti-Semitic.

In Malaysia, trials have always been fair.

A lawyer wants to get his client off the hook. And even if he knows the client is guilty, he is going to find ways and means of getting him off the hook.

The biggest mistake that I have made in my life is choosing Najib.

We say less things about Australians than Australians say about us, calling me a dictator, authoritarian government.

In my years, I had the opportunity to observe peoples and countries. I see some countries doing well, others failing, and my analysis of things is that whether you fail or succeed is a function of your value system.

Money is not something you just print. It must be backed by something, either good economy or gold.

The government seems to be set on bankrupting Proton and selling it off, because I think it is regarded as my baby.

I’ve had quite a long time in government, and I’ve learned a few things.

Jews rule the world by proxy.

Whenever I am asked who I admire most among the leaders I have met, I have no hesitation in naming Nelson Mandela.

I expect every prime minister to have his own imprint.

Jewish stinginess and financial wizardry gained them commercial control of Europe and provoked anti-Semitism, which waxed and waned in Europe throughout the ages.

As a doctor, you are out on call most nights, so you don’t get continuous sleep, and that becomes something that is familiar to you. So, working hard doesn’t bother me.

If we keep on raking up the past, you can never work with anybody. You will always be fighting against your enemies, and that is bad.

Planning means looking ahead.

If you want to be honest with yourself, you have to take criticism, even if you attract adverse comments from others.

We have had dealings with terrorists for a long time. From 1948 until 1990, we had domestic terrorism because the pro-communist groups wanted to overthrow the colonial government.

I am glad to be labeled anti-Semitic.

In Malaysia, trials have always been fair.

When developing countries go to the WTO and register their protest over things, they should be heard. Their views should be considered by the rich countries.

Jews rule the world by proxy.

Suppose a part of Britain or a part of America was taken away and given to the Jews as Israel. Do you think the Americans are going to sit quietly and say ‘Welcome,’ and all that? They won’t.

I believe that currency trading should not be a business at all.

The little Napoleons in UMNO try to keep out people who are more intelligent than themselves.

A lawyer wants to get his client off the hook. And even if he knows the client is guilty, he is going to find ways and means of getting him off the hook.

The West is very impatient. You want overnight change.

I resigned on my own, and during my time, the country enjoyed a period of great prosperity.

I want to leave UMNO because it is no longer UMNO. It is a party dedicated to supporting Mr. Najib, to protecting Mr. Najib, to upholding whatever it is that he does, including some of the wrong things that he has done. I cannot be a member of such a party.

I know I’m not popular with all the people. Remember, I am ‘cruel’ or a ‘pharaoh.’ That’s all right. In politics, you get called all types of names.

I assume that people react to things as I would react. For example, if you are nice to people, they should be nice to you.

I assume that people react to things as I would react. For example, if you are nice to people, they should be nice to you.

Doctors look after me. But, basically, I look after myself. I don’t overeat. I don’t develop a big paunch. I do a little bit of exercise. At the same time, I believe that if you don’t work, you will decay. The decay process is through not using your faculties – not using your brain, not using your body.

I won’t call it UMNO anymore; this is Najib’s party. I feel embarrassed that I am associated with a party that is seen as supporting corruption – it had caused me to feel ashamed.

It is not true at all that a free market will ensure a democracy. It doesn’t. There must be a balance between a free market and some regulations which are essential in order to safeguard the interests of consumers and of people in general.

When the British ruled Malaysia, they burnt millions of acres of Malaysian forests so that they could plant rubber.

We believe that human rights always applies to the majority, who should have its rights protected. When people demonstrate and go to the streets, they deprive the majority from earning a living.

Free press is not absolute. In this country, we say clearly if you start stirring up racial hatred, then we will put a stop to it. We might even close down your paper, because these things can only lead to a lot of riots and bloodshed.

Not many dictators announce their resignation, but I did because I didn’t want to stay on and overstay my welcome.

I’m basically a creature of habit – I do practically the same thing every week, every day of every week: I go to the office, I meet people, I write, I read, and, of course, I give lectures.

MH370 is a Boeing 777 aircraft. It was built and equipped by Boeing. All the communications and GPS equipment must have been installed by Boeing. If they failed or have been disabled, Boeing must know how it can be done.

The biggest mistake that I have made in my life is choosing Najib.

If India is not too democratic, it will be like China in terms of development.

I am saying that currency trading is unnecessary, unproductive, and immoral. It should be stopped. It should be made illegal.

In Asia, we live within our means. So when we are poor, we live as poor people. I think that is a lesson that Europe can learn from Asia.

I was forced to say, ‘I will not censor the Internet.’ But I was never convinced.

If Australia wants to be a friend of Asia, it should stop behaving as if it is there to teach us how to run our country.

Not many dictators announce their resignation, but I did because I didn’t want to stay on and overstay my welcome.

When you are in the government, you have to demonise your opposition.

Suppose a part of Britain or a part of America was taken away and given to the Jews as Israel. Do you think the Americans are going to sit quietly and say ‘Welcome,’ and all that? They won’t.

Justice is the most important thing. In a plural society like Malaysia, you cannot have two laws – one law for the Muslim, one law for the non-Muslim.

We all abhor terrorists, but we have to treat them as dangerous to all of us, not to any one particular country.

Most Americans, I think, know very little about East Asia or Southeast Asia. American businesspeople who have been here, they are very knowledgeable about this area, but the average American? No.

I want to leave UMNO because it is no longer UMNO. It is a party dedicated to supporting Mr. Najib, to protecting Mr. Najib, to upholding whatever it is that he does, including some of the wrong things that he has done. I cannot be a member of such a party.

Forcing some countries to accept democracy is something that should not be done.

A country without engineering skill and knowledge will never become a developed country.

Independence means we enjoy freedom. We are not colonised by people. And we can govern our own country and develop it independently so that our people can live a better life.

In my years, I had the opportunity to observe peoples and countries. I see some countries doing well, others failing, and my analysis of things is that whether you fail or succeed is a function of your value system.

Free press is not absolute. In this country, we say clearly if you start stirring up racial hatred, then we will put a stop to it. We might even close down your paper, because these things can only lead to a lot of riots and bloodshed.