Description
The relationship between the State and the Society in the nations of the Third World has long been of great interest to political scientists. In this respect Malaysia's unique system of inter-communal political co-operation stands apart. Despite occasional relapses, supra-communal leaders have invariably surfaced to help prevent centrifugal forces from threatening the unity and essentially democratic character of the state.
This book is a study of the impact Malaysia's Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad, has had on the Malaysian polity since he took office in 1981. Unlike previous Prime Ministers, who seemed content merely to play the role of supra-communal arbiters, Dr Mahathir sought to go beyond this by attempting to unite the nation around common policies or goals such as the Look East Policy.
The book discusses this innovative approach and the criticisms of the Mahathir Administration which resulted later when they appeared unable to produce the expected social and economic transformation. By the time of the 1986 elections, notes the author, many observers believed that the worsening economic recession, combined with a series of financial scandals, disunity within the government and other political reversals had produced a nation 'adrift' without the clear leadership it once enjoyed.
In this respect the convincing victory of the ruling multiracial coalition in the election surprised many and showed that the government still commanded the support of the people. The book discusses the issues raised during the campaign and comments on the apparent communal polarization which some observers saw reflected on the results.
