The M factor in Malaysian politics

Under his efforts Malaysia turned massive forest areas into vast rural development enclaves that the World Bank applauded as the best in the world even though capital intensity was high.

Under these integrated schemes, each family owned a plot of rubber trees or palm oil and grew crops for their own use, while availing themselves of education, health and other government-built facilities. Eventually they had to repay the government.

Malaysia’s role as a large producer of semi-conductors began in the late 1960s but it was during Dr Mahathir’s term that this and other related sectors enabled industry to overtake agriculture as the biggest contributor to gross domestic product.

The combative nature of Dr Mahathir was present even when he was aspiring for leadership of the Malay ruling party. His maverick streak first showed itself in 1969 when he attacked the Tengku, the then prime minister, in an open letter, of being the cause of the nation’s worst ever racial riots in May that year. He blamed the Tengku’s closeness to Chinese business leaders and concessions granted to the Chinese community rather than the turmoil caused by a highly ethnically divisive national election campaign and outcome.

As a result Dr Mahathir was ousted from UMNO but began a rapid rise to the top after Tun Razak appointed him a senator in 1973.

Ironically, he now finds himself in a position to take on another prime minister - one he anointed and now denounces. This time he may find himself a tougher opponent in Abdullah who, of late, appears to show some impatience against the sniping from his predecessor.

In fact after their recent private meeting, Abdullah has come out making counter-charges. No end is in sight to this confrontation and the sparks will continue to fly in Malaysian politics.