In which it is demonstrated that good manners are often helpful.
Dr Mahathir, thanks for talking to us.
Pleasure.
You have been critical of Australia recently.
I have made some comments about certain things that have been broadcast to the region by Australia.
You’ve also made some comments about the Prime Minister, Mr Keating.
Yes, Mr Keating is a very nice man. I saw him this week.
He is a nice man.
Yes, I know. I couldn’t agree more. I always enjoy talking to him. We have met many times.
What do you talk about?
He tells me Australia’s future is in Asia.
And what you do you say?
I laugh. He’s a very nice man.
Yes, and what do you tell him?
I tell him Malaysia’s future is in Canada.
And what does he say?
He laughs. He’s a very nice man, Mr Keating. I like him a lot. We get on very well together. I saw him this week.
You don’t think Australia’s future is in Asia?
I don’t know. I am only talking about where Mr Keating says Australia’s future is.
He says it’s in Asia.
Yes. I like Mr Keating. He’s a very nice man.
Yes. Mr Keating is a nice man.
Yes, I’m well aware of that.
What did he say this week?
He told me that taking all the trade barriers and tariffs away would be good for Australia.
And what did you say?
I laughed. He’s a very nice man, Mr Keating. I like him.
And what did you tell him?
I told him that, for nearly half the year, Malaysia is covered in many hundreds of feet of snow.
And what did he say?
He laughed. He’s a very nice man, Mr Keating. I do like him.
Did he tell you that Australia might extend its free-trade arrangements to other countries?
To countries other than where its future is?
Yes.
Yes. He’s a very nice man, Mr Keating. I like him a lot.
What did you say?
I told him the one about the Princess and the Frog.
And what did he say?
He told me Australia would have the right to put the tariffs up again if it wanted to.
And what did you say?
I laughed. He’s a great fellow, Mr Keating. I like him.
Will you be seeing him again soon?
Yes, I hope so.
When?
Well I’m back in Malaysia now, dealing with reality.
And then you’ll be seeing Mr Keating again?
Oh yes. I like Mr Keating. He’s a very nice man.
Yes, we like him too.
Yes, I know that.
How do you know that?
He told me.
And what did you say?
I laughed. He’s a very nice man, Mr Keating. We get on very well. He’s a marvellous fellow.
He is, isn’t he?
Oh yes. I enjoy him enormously.