KUALA LUMPUR, 13 October 2003 — With the announcement that Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad will resign on Oct. 31, many here are assessing the legacy of a leader who ruled the country unchallenged for almost a quarter of a century and wonder what the future holds, both for them and for Mahathir himself.

“He set his own timing to resign rather than having people set it for him,” according to Dato Seri DiRaja Syed Razlan Jamalullail, a businessman and member of the Malaysian royal family.

“Nobody wants to see him go, but things must come to an end sometime. This is a big loss for the nation, but I think that he has got a bigger role than Malaysia and that is to try and see what can be done for the Islamic world,” he told Arab News.

“As a fighter and a brilliant leader, his ideas were radical but workable. Many people don’t see the true picture, but only he knows how to lead the country, and through him we have had the confidence to become a greater nation,” Jamalullail said.

“I hope his role in the OIC (Organization of the Islamic Conference) will be a great opportunity for the Islamic nation and for other countries to, if not follow, at least listen to his ideas,” he said.

“I’m not saying that Malaysia is the country to follow, but the man should be listened to, because like the doctor he is, he cuts through problems very surgically. He looks at things in a very clear and surgical manner with no favors to anybody. He says what the picture shows, not what you want to hear, and this is something we are going to miss,” he added.

“Dr. Mahathir dares to be different, but with reason,” he said.

Mahathir has set milestones for the future of the country. “I think he has charted Malaysia’s future in detail, whether in information technology, development until 2020, or transport and rural development, all the foundations are in place, and it would have been difficult for us to continue without them.”

Dato Ong Tee Kiat, Malaysia’s deputy minister of youth and sports, said: “Average Malaysians regard him not only as a man with great achievements in various fields, but also as a visionary leader who managed to put Malaysia on the world map. I think that this is something even the opposition parties can’t deny.”

“I strongly believe that in the post-Mahathir era, the nation will continue with his vision. He already mapped out strategies for a greater success for the nation, and I see no reason why future leaders for generations to come could not continue with his work,” he said.

Businessman Mohammed Nazril said Mahathir’s resignation is a major loss to the nation. “His policy in maintaining political stability in such a multi-racial nation is an achievement that could only come from an extraordinary leader,” he said.

Nazril, who owns a chain of restaurants, says he is worried about the country’s economic situation in the future.

“The resignation might negatively affect the economy, because it will take years for the new prime minister to prove to international investors that there is stability and that the foreign investment rules and regulations are developing according to Dr. Mahathir’s plans.”

He said most international investors became more cautious about their investment in Malaysia after Mahathir announced he was resigning.

“As Malaysians, it is our national duty to continue what Dr. Mahathir has started,” Nazril added.