Quotes from Mahathir Mohamad

If you want to be honest with yourself, you have to take criticism, even if you attract adverse comments from others.

The thinning of the ozone layer is blamed on logging of tropical forests. The fact that the burning of fossil fuels and release of CFCs (chloro-fluoro-carbons) into the atmosphere occur largely in the rich countries are significantly ignored.

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.

Most Americans, I think, know very little about East Asia or Southeast Asia. American businesspeople who have been here, they are very knowledgeable about this area, but the average American? No.

We can go into the Chinese market, develop the engine, new models of cars. Proton can compete. What is the point of giving the company to foreigners? It will revert to the same situation where foreigners just assemble their cars here. We learn nothing.

I know I'm not popular with all the people. Remember, I am 'cruel' or a 'pharaoh.' That's all right. In politics, you get called all types of names.

It would seem the people who want to preserve the Penans' way of life are condemning them to a life full of diseases and a shorter life span.

The biggest mistake that I have made in my life is choosing Najib.

Democracy for people who are not used to it can undermine stability, resulting in war.

The Internet has played a major role in undermining public morality.

Corruption is found everywhere. I admit there is some corruption in my staff - not me.

There are certain things that we can deal with by following the rules. But at times, we find the rules restrict you from doing the right things. On such occasions, we have to rethink - either you change the rules or break the rules.

I am saying that currency trading is unnecessary, unproductive, and immoral. It should be stopped. It should be made illegal.

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.

In my years, I had the opportunity to observe peoples and countries. I see some countries doing well, others failing, and my analysis of things is that whether you fail or succeed is a function of your value system.

We believe that human rights always applies to the majority, who should have its rights protected. When people demonstrate and go to the streets, they deprive the majority from earning a living.

When you are in the government, you have to demonise your opposition.

The West is very impatient. You want overnight change.

The Internet is undermining moral values.

Why do I want to remove Najib? I should have thought the whole world would know. This man steals money. Not a few hundred dollars, not a few thousand dollars - he stole billions of dollars, and that has been verified by investigations here in Malaysia and the U.S.

If you know each other well, you want to do business with people you know well. You don't do business with strangers.

If we keep on raking up the past, you can never work with anybody. You will always be fighting against your enemies, and that is bad.

I am not anti-European. I have many friends and acquaintances who are Europeans.

When developing countries go to the WTO and register their protest over things, they should be heard. Their views should be considered by the rich countries.