Malaysian Prime Minister: Koran-based Islam does not call for murder

Malaysian Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir Muhammad, at the age of 93, is the oldest leader in the world.

In May of this year, he marked his stunning return to the country's political scene, he promised to save his country immersed in corruption before it is too late.

Dr. Mahathiri led the state wheel 22 years, from 1981 to 2003 to become prime minister with longer service. At the time, he was praised for transforming Malaysia from an agrarian country into an industrialized country. During this process he led the country with an iron fist, crushing the opposition and censorshiping the press.

“CNN Talk Asia” spoke to the oldest man in the prime minister's office outside capital Kuala Lumpur.

CNN: Prime Minister, you came after a long time ago to get a political post again. Why is this going back to such an age?

MM: When I volunteered, I thought I was having a time of relaxation with my family, maybe walking around. Unfortunately, the moment I withdrew, my successor decided to change direction, launched new and similar policies. So much more, he dismissed all that I had started. That upset a lot of people. They all wanted to meet me with the only request: “Please do something. ”

CNN: How did you start dealing with politics?

At the time, we were under British administration, then came the Japanese, they invaded us and then left the country in the hands of the Thai, Siamese people. We seemed to be a ball game that could be hit by anyone who went through and threw us into the next one. That made me very angry. Clearly, we were not respected. I felt like we were supposed to be at least like the others.

That's what made me, Malaysia could be as valuable as any other country. I was born here, raised and educated here. The people around were the same people I grew up with. We developed a way of life that we wanted by heart.

CNN: In your first term, your critics described you as authoritarian, dictator. I know in the past you've denied all this. Does it have to be a strong man to move a place into the developing world?

MM: I don't laugh dictator, I was elected five times by the people. It didn't happen that a dictator would withdraw; I withdrew. I thought the opportunity to work and do certain things for the country was something that made me very happy. . It's not the money you earn, it's just business fun.

I traveled through many countries and saw how many different countries were advanced, why not Malaysia was one of them? We approach an essential analysis of our assets, our inclinations, our position. We had to deal with the design of a plan that would contribute to our country's progress.

CNN: Do you have any feelings of remorse for your first term?

Not so much, I felt this place was multiracial. That couldn't change it. It was something I always wanted to do, I didn't like seeing inequalities in society between rich and poor, between races. It destabilises the country. I committed myself to ensuring a reduction in that inequality, so that all peoples would jointly exploit the country's assets. I had a little success and I largely failed. I wish I had done more. You know. It's hard to change people and their way of life overnight, their culture and their way of thinking. I'll try again.

You met your wife, Tun City,Hesmah, when you were in university studies in medicine, what was the first thing that drew you to her?

Actually, there were not many women studying medicine at the time, she was the only mountain girl. Of course we were all gravitying toward the only girl in the group, and eventually. I almost fell in love. There were few women studying at the time, and she was determined to finish her studies. This somehow explains her strong character.

CNN: You two are married now 62 years. What's your secret?

MM: We were taught to be tolerant of each other. At first, of course, we fought often, I'm very strict in time and other things. She takes all things slowly, even late, and so on. We argued about things like that, but I soon realized that I couldn't change it, just like she couldn't change me, and we agreed with the fate we were different.

She has the same feeling about the things I believe in- about loyalty, the country, working for your country and so on. She escorts me everywhere I go. It's kind of just as committed to the sense of loyalty and patriotism that I have.

CNN: Now you're 93 years old, but you get to work every day, you lead a country, you go to the world. Where does such patience come from?

MM: Chronologically my age is 93 years old, biologically it seems that my age is not so. Sometimes people are younger than their age. I've had a very quiet life. I don't overdo anything. I never eat until I breathe, there are things I just don't practice. I get sick sometimes, as you know, I had heart surgery but I generally take care of my health.

CNN: You are the leader of a moderate majority Muslim country. In 2003 you called for Islam to evolve. Did that sound like it?

The Islam that you see today is not Islam which religion teaches. It is Islam that is interpreted by certain powerful men, leaders, scholars, and like. We see it quite differently from the original teachings of Islam based on the Koran. We realized that the Koran-based Islam was very moderate. You don't learn war, you call Muslims to be brothers, you stop murder. We're basically doing all those things that are forbidden to Islam. It is now the interpretation of Islam that has even introduced a state concept.

CNN: In your opinion, are these interpretations now leading your religion?

Yeah, somebody goes through here first, becomes popular leader, interprets things in their own way: you have to fight, you have to kill, you have to fight against other religions. And you are in dispute among yourselves concerning those who differ. These things have led to non-resistant, even producing conflicts and wars and even wars within a nation.

CNN: In the end prime minister, how would you like people to remind you?

MM: I'm convinced that unless you're close, people are very inclined to depreciate everything you've done and say things that are rude to you. It doesn't matter to me. I won't be here to listen.