Thread by @sumishanaidu

HAPPENING NOW: Malaysian PM Dr Mahathir Mohamad speaks at the #UNGA, 15 years after his last address.

“The new Government of Malaysia, recently empowered with a strong mandate from its people, is committed to ensure that every Malaysian has an equitable share in the prosperity and wealth of the nation.” - Dr Mahathir at #UNGA

“A new Malaysia emerged after the 14th General Election in May this year. Malaysians decided to change their government...We did this because the immediate past Government indulged in the politics of hatred, of racial and religious bigotry, as well as widespread corruption.”#UNGA

“The new Malaysia will firmly espouse the principles promoted by the UN in our international engagements. These include the principles of truth, human rights, the rule of law, justice, fairness, responsibility and accountability, as well as sustainability.” #UNGA

“When I last spoke here in 2003, I lamented how the world had lost its way. I bemoaned the fact that small countries continued to be at the mercy of the powerful...We need to maintain control of our destiny.” - Dr Mahathir at #UNGA

“Socially new values undermine the stability of nations and their people. Freedom has led to the negation of the concept of marriage and families, of moral codes, of respect etc. But the worse turmoil is in the political arena.” - Dr Mahathir at #UNGA

.”The world rewards Israel, deliberately provoking Palestine by recognising Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.” - Dr Mahathir at #UNGA

“Malaysia hates terrorism. We will fight them. But we believe that the only way to fight terrorism is to remove the cause. Let the Palestinians return to reclaim their land”. #UNGA

“There is something wrong with our way of thinking, with our value system. Kill one man, it is murder, kill a million and you become a hero. And so we still believe that conflict between nations can be resolved with war”. #UNGA

“And we are forever preparing for war, inventing more and more destructive weapons.” - Dr Mahathir. #UNGA

“In Myanmar, Muslims in Rakhine state are being murdered, their homes torched and a million refugees had been forced to flee, to drown in the high seas... Yet the authorities of Myanmar including a Nobel Peace Laureate deny that this is happening.“ - Dr Mahathir. #UNGA

“I believe in non-interference in the internal affairs of nations. But does the world watch massacres being carried out & do nothing? Nations are independent. But does this mean they have a right to massacre their own people, because they are independent?”

“Now palm diesel are condemned because they are decimating virgin jungles. These caring people forget that their boycott is depriving hundreds of thousands of people from jobs and a decent life.” - Dr Mahathir at #UNGA.

“I would like to refer to the need for reform in the organisation (the @UN). Five countries on the basis of their victories 70 over years ago cannot claim to have a right to hold the world to ransom forever.” - Dr Mahathir at #UNGA

“The @UN cannot take the moral high ground, preaching democracy and regime change in the countries of the world when they deny democracy in this organisation..” - Dr Mahathir. #UNGA

“I must admit that the world without the UN would be disastrous. We need the UN, we need to sustain it with sufficient funds. No one should threaten it with financial deprivation.” - Dr Mahathir. #UNGA

“After 15 years and at 93, I return to this podium with the heavy task of bringing the voice and hope of the new Malaysia to the world stage. The people of Malaysia, proud of their recent democratic achievement, have high hopes that...we will see peace, progress and prosperity”