155 Quotes by Mahathir Mohamad

If the countries of Europe and of North America can be almost uniformly prosperous, we don't see why we cannot be allowed to be a little prosperous.

As a doctor, you are out on call most nights, so you don't get continuous sleep, and that becomes something that is familiar to you. So, working hard doesn't bother me.

Free press is not absolute. In this country, we say clearly if you start stirring up racial hatred, then we will put a stop to it. We might even close down your paper, because these things can only lead to a lot of riots and bloodshed.

If Australia wants to be a friend of Asia, it should stop behaving as if it is there to teach us how to run our country.

Quite a few people who are in the media and in control of the big money seem to want to see these Southeast Asian countries - and, in particular, Malaysia - stop trying to catch up with their superiors and to know their place.

Democracy must be internally generated. You cannot force it from the top - it's not going to work.

Sudden change, even if it is for the good, is disruptive.

The government seems to be set on bankrupting Proton and selling it off, because I think it is regarded as my baby.

It is not true at all that a free market will ensure a democracy. It doesn't. There must be a balance between a free market and some regulations which are essential in order to safeguard the interests of consumers and of people in general.