Dr Mahathir: Lee Kuan Yew is a big frog in a small pond
May 28th, 2010 | 
Author: Former Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad gave a rare acknowledgement of the achievements of Singapore’s octogenarian leader Lee Kuan Yew in a book on the latter.
Launched two days ago, the book titled ““Conversations With Lee Kuan Yew” is written by American columnist Tom Plate, which contains a section containing comments from international leaders about Lee.
Dr Mahathir said Lee will “go down in history as a very remarkable intellectual and politician at the same time.”
“He is a big frog in a small pond. He had ambitions to become Prime Minister of all Malaysia. He tries to lecture people but people dislike that. People do regard him as an intellectual, as something more than just an ordinary politician,” he added.
The two men had often crossed swords with each other during their tenures as Prime Ministers of Singapore and Malaysia.
Lee was Singapore’s Prime Minister from 1965 to 1990 while Dr Mahathir Mohamad led Malaysia from 1981 to 2002.
When Lee visited Malaysia last year, he met several Malaysian leaders including those from the opposition except Dr Mahathir prompting him to write on his blog sarcastically that he is not “important” enough to deserve attention from Singapore’s “little emperor”.
He also poured scorn on Lee’s attempts to teach Malaysian leaders how to govern Malaysia.
Despite their frequent altercations, Dr Mahathir was never sued by Lee for defamation or slander.
In his latest speech, Dr Mahathir Mohamad urged the President of the Malaysian Indian Congress Samy Vellu who has been leading the party for 31 years not to “overstay his welcome” and step down immediately.
His remarks may well apply to Lee who is still the de facto leader of Singapore’s ruling PAP after 50 years.
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54 Responses to “Dr Mahathir: Lee Kuan Yew is a big frog in a small pond”
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Haha. Dare not sue. Only bully our own people. I rather be a small frog in big pond than a big frog in a small pond.
LOL LKY a big frog in a small pond.
Wrong describe
should be a big tortoise in a small pond as
tortoise known to have long lifespan.
The late Mao Tze Tung famously said – I DON’T BELIEVE IN PRAISES NOR EULOGY. I think he is the smartest of all and right.
Dr M maybe sarcastic and rude, but he is not totally wrong, he is pretty sharp guy.
Only Mahathir got the guts and courage to screw LKY. He spoke candidly. Sometimes, somewhere certain personality check must come in
less people’s head swelled to big for his hat. I guess Mahathir rooted LKY to the ground level many times.
And surprisingly, LKY is the one who got no guts to sue Mahathir.
What is your take MM Lee ?
I guess this confirms Lim Swee Say’s fable that we’re a kingdom of frogs.
This man hater is full of jealousy of our supremo MM Lee Kuan Yew. Hmmm…. prime minister of the whole of Malaysia. What a small ambition…? That doesn’t really fit the size of our big frog.
Imagine at 90 and still going around looking fit and he could be crossing the hundred level just as fit as before. He could easily reclaim the motherland for Singaporean if he were younger. Since China is the motherland of our ancestor we have the right to reclaim it as our own. When there is enough PRC taking up citizens in Singapore, China cannot deny Singapore is fit enough to become their new province. The next move is to turn China into a democratic country with some of his fury speeches. When election is held, he will crush his opponent just like he would a cockroach. China will become a first world country in just a few years under the leadership of LKY and Chinese the first citizens of the world in no time. The man eater is myopic and his viewing scope is too narrow and he is paranoid of losing Malaysia to Singapore. Isn’t Malaysia a better place if PAP is their leader.
Strange,DR M gets his ways around LKY,never been sued by him.
why? is DR M more brillaint or what?
hey,by the way,during the asian financial debacle,he told the ang-mohs like IMF off when they forced him to do their biddings.
Maybe,the OPP people want to recuit this useful ‘FT’ for their COMING GE CAMPAIGNING? THIs way,the OPP WILL NOT,yes will not,get sued by LKY ever again as historcally,DR M WAS NEVER SUED BY MM LKY despite all his frank and pointed remarks.
well done,DR M,take the ‘KTM’ over ASAP,SINGAPORE needs FOREIGN TALENTS in politics too.
big frog or small frog, arent they all ‘deaf to all criticisms’? hahahaha
well, so is mahathir
Vintage Mahathir. I guess LKY do not know how to tango with him. Malaysia is lucky, she has vast tract of land, oil, sand, water etc etc.
One thing about Mahathir that I cannot agree is his tendency to twist facts. He interprete according to his whim and fancy not international law.
One view on how Iskandar Project will look like. Must cick link to pixs.
http://atans1.wordpress.com/2010/05/28/how-iskandar-land-may-look-like/
LOL..hahaha ROFLOL.
well done!…what so daft indeed? hahaha!!!haha!
Singapore will NEVER dare sue any ISLAMIC politician anywhere. The consequences are obvious. Like that so clear also must spell out ah? LOL.
Dr M is just a lame duck now.
The remark that Lee Kuan Yew is like “a frog in a big pond” – was probably plagiarized by Dr Mahathir from Tun Abdul Razak, the father of the present Malaysian PM Najib.
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From ‘The Fajar Generation’ – Pg 212 Para 2
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Quote:
Communal brinkmanship stokes up communal tension. Tan Siew Sin described Lee Kuan Yew as ‘the greatest disruptive force in the entire history of Malaysia and Malaya’ (Straits Times, 2 June 1965).
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Razak warned Lee Kuan Yew that ‘if trouble breaks out as a result of his “adventures” he would be held responsible’. Commenting of Lee Kuan Yew’s tactics Razak made the following points:
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(1) Out of chaos and trouble, Lee hoped to emerge as the leader who can save the country.
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(2) He was a great expert in creating situations which did not exist. Mr Lee twisted facts and cast doubts in the minds of people. He had spread stories among the Diplomatic Corps that the Tengku did not like.
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(3) Mr Lee and the PAP…..not twisted enough by the communists to be taken into their confidence.
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Like a frog in a big lake, he was croaking to show his presence and be heard (Straits Time, 4 June 1965).
Not in defense of the OLD MAN LKY, Mahathir the maverick is smart enough to belittle or veil threat OLD MAN but NEVER DEFAME him.Crossing sword with Mahathir since we were in Malaysia,the animosity between the two is crystal clear but OLD MAN beats Mahathir in the art- of- war by ignoring him and let him fume stupidly like many in TR Ha!ha!ha!
MM Lee had just interfere into others business
What happen to our Singapore long standing policy of “Non-interference” into others people affair???
Singapore used to champions this cause, calling the American arrogant people with alittle sentiments of others people culture
American military base continued to stay in Japan
Japan Leader had turn his back on his election promises
Japan Leader had sack his coalition partner
Japan Leader had a change of mind after meeting MM Lee on why it is important to have the cold war mentally of containing China using USA to counter balance
Singapore should practise what we preach, mind our own business, Asian Non Intereference Policy.
Failing to lift up his election campiagn promise
Japan to sent USA Marine to go
This is political suicidal for the Japanese Leader with record lows approval rating, nobody is going to trust his words ever again
We shall see…Japanese will punish em” during mid term election, the return of the conservative party
This is very bad image for Singaporean (becoming 2-face people)
One minute Singapore is all loving to towards China
The next minute MM Lee goes to Japan, putting a case, why the USA had to stay in there
One minute Singapore is supporting China Shanghai Expo
The next minute MM Lee talk about China advancement in military technology, USA is dangerously lacking behind which results in China netizens complaining
Are we 2 face people? Let be neutral lah, mind our business, better
This is one game we should not be involved lah
These two clowns would likely continue fighting in the netherworld.
there is no wisdom in foolsih pride and we tot elder statesmen are presumably wise.
@ah beng, aiya you better off at settling gang land dispute and please dont try your luck at International issues.
This type of issues are too advanced not suited to your low tech brain.
Don’t take to heart what the two sluts are talking.Our main concern is our future that is hanging precariously due to self-serving and incompetent directions by the politicians.It’s crystal clear that their policies are causing untold damages to our generation and below.We can only bid with time that the wind of change will be in our favour soon.
LKY is a frog croaking not only in his own pond but also others. Find it annoying to crown himself “Minister Mentor” when he should just step down and let others run the show.
In his latest speech, Dr Mahathir Mohamad urged the President of the Malaysian Indian Congress Samy Vellu who has been leading the party for 31 years not to “overstay his welcome” and step down immediately.
His remarks may well apply to Lee who is still the de facto leader of Singapore’s ruling PAP after 50 years.
haha is dr. M speaking about himself? He who cannot keep quiet after stepping down and try to rule from the back like MM…but failed.
At my age, i would not be able to migrate as easily than a younger adult especially when i have several unemployment record and lost my ricebowl years back. I no longer work as a high demand professional. So, even if I want to migrate, i am stuck here.
I live in singaproe but works in another country, if you know wtf i mean.
The problem is we dun normally hear singaporeans talking about political issues. so, there can be no change.
Local born Singaporean are sheep. He is a frog. Hahaha. He has it coming.
Besides pork, Muslim do not eat frogs too, I think.
One thing i know is without LKY, GKS etc you all won’t be croaking in this site. Anyway TR why you put up a nice picture of Mahathir and a less than flattery picture of LKY. It is not a nice thing to do. If TR cannot be objective than you have no business in this internet world.
Has any PAP leader sued anyone for defamation in a court outside Singapore?
Hmm…..
Now we know why there are frogs in the PAP Government, the Father is also a BIG FROG. HAH HAH.
The Old Man of Malaysia Vs Old Man of Singapore
Both share so many similarities : both are cunning and spiteful, both happen to be bullies also, no qualms at locking their political opponents without reason.
But you notice one difference stands out between the two of them : one of them never dares to confront the other no matter how he is condemned by the other. It only goes to show that a bully can be a coward when confronted by another bully.
he is getting old and senile, no big country will ever accept no matter how wise a small country advise they can give, no matter how rich you may be, keep ur wisdom to urself, just like big Uncle Sam
while there are similarities between the 2 countries and the 2, mahatir not sure got child also happen to coincidentally a genius working in as a gonmin leader for the country? I mean all by their own talent lah. unassisted wan to be totally fair of course. They very good wan.
It is really how you are and how live your life political and personal.Dr.Mohamed Mahathiras PM Malaysia has made his political success as a “Ketuanan Melayu ” Malay Dilemma Ideological Underpining to his Malaysia where the primacy of the Bumi-Malays rule and control and treat the Non-Bumi Towkays and the poor as marginal citizens hardly ever the Centre of Putra-Jaya Kuala Ada Lumpur!Lee Kuan Yew’s political legacy has always been that of a Malaysia for Malaysians, when Singapore was botted out of Merger with Lee Kuan Yew as Hemsman,Malaysia and the rest of the world thought Singapore would not survive as an Economically Viable City let alone country !Singapore today has an Economic Miracle that has beaten its Mother-Country Britain in its per capita income of USD $30,000.Malaysia is now only about 25% economically compared to Singapore. An impartial World Body would easily conclude that its the political ideology of a Non-Racial Non-Cultural hegemony that has won the day almost 45 years ago and the Singapore Economy is still moving vibrantly ,whereas the Malaysian Economy and its politics is rather like Oil Spillings and Spewing from the Giant Oil Hole of British Petroleum of the Louisiana Coast, still spewing and UMNO is still spewing the hatred ” Orang Cina Apa Lagi Anda Mahu ? “as if they all own the iron rice bowls asking the Malays to give them their Rice Padi !So my friends being an intelligent and competent leader with an equally capable team mean quite a lot in Economic Development ! Singapore has won,Dr.MM has lost with his “Ketuanan Melayu “leaving out almost 45% of your People and fellow malaysians is no way to build a country with equity,justice and Community Harmony of the people who elected you and your team !Why is Lee Kuan Yew so well admired and respected at THE UN and Modern Nations,like UK USA and other developed nations ? Its because Singapore under LKY has learnt to be economically self-sufficient being able to fish and eat for life,rather than expect hand-outs from the Developed Nations who are not really waiting to be Suckers of their Assets!
Lee Kuan Yew was heard by me and others at the Inns of Court Grounds like the Temple Church and Middle Temple of London “O Harry Lee of Singapore he is the Prime Minister that Her Majesty’s United Kingdom cannot have ! “A Companion of Honour of her Premier Knight was awarded some yaers since those remarks!
Bravo A Re-Merger of the Region with Brunei with someone as tough and intellectually competent as the Old Buddha LKY will surely bright the whole “Semanjong ” Region up to par economically and globally sophisticated !LKY ,Goh Keng Swee ,Sinnathamby Rajaretnam, Ibrahim Yaacob try much harder after the Merger Break-Up and can anyone really dispute Singapore’s second to none stellar success ? Ketuanan Raayat Semua Bersatu padu dan Bergotong Royong !
globally yours
GCW Heng, Boston,MA,USA.
Both of them deserve each other. Both are hypocrites!
That’s right. Lee Kuan Yew is a big frog. The rest of us are human beings though.
We have 2 confrontational Octogenarian Frogs with one at our homeland and another across the causeway.
This Lee kuan yew achievements are nothing great to talk about.
Lee kuan yew worst achievement is his two-child policy implemented and it is till date killing our population quickly
In korea there is a sayiing,
You don’t find small fishes in the big ocean but only big fish
You don’t find big fishes in the small river but only small fish
MM Lee had successful convince Democratic Party Leader to take such a big risk, what a Politicial Suicide
Liberal Democratic Party had lost their seat b’cos of the special relationship they hold with Untied States and her Military Base in Japan. Most Japanese seen it as 54 years old of LDP of (kow-tou / bowing down to the imperalist American)
We can see the mid term election of the return of Conservative Party
The Democratic Party is finish, ka-boom…their trustworthy completely destroy, biggest mistake ever
Only MM Lee boleh, able to convice the Leader of DPJ to turn back on his promise during election campiagn
Democratic Party Of Japan will lose big in mid term election
Liberal Democratic Party can to score points…Japan Self Defense Force is more than capable to defend Japan without any outside help
American military base presence inside Japan actually stroke North Korean hostility towards Japan and South Korea
American military base presence bring insecurity to North Korea, which result in North Korean strong push for militarization and nuclearization to protect North Korean interest
Asia region without Amercian military base is a good thing
Did you watch the movie Contsantine ? watch it damn good movie
There are time when GOD become arrogant, only stick to the book.
When did Contsantine do to fight off fallen angel Garbiel ? Constantine call for Satan to assist him for (mutual insterest) Sometimes, having a good relationship with China and Russia is the solution. North Korea is nothing without China and Russia generous donation of foods and funds, you need to press the right buttons to hurt North Korea
Why MM Lee (cold war mentality) is wrong
Question:When did Russia become more hostile towards Europe?
Answer:”when Bush want a early warning defense system, by placing missile behind the backard of Russia”
Question:Why is North Korean so crazy about Nukes
Answer:”When you had American military base infornt of your doorsteps in South Korea and another American military base behind your backyards. If you are North Korean, how safe and secure you do feel sandwich in between? your guess is as good as mine
Time to kick out this old school of thoughts about containment of North Korea. Solution: should be to help Japan and South Korea is defend herself with her own army, this is the long term solution that is more substainable for all 3 party involved
Why MM Lee is not helping World Peace and NPT policy with his (old school of thoughts)
The recently events of the shinking of South Korean ship, we had wintess how USA and China is able to come together to solved this regional problem (rather than pointing fingers at one another) and how both USA AND China can work together as equal partner to promote stability, sercurity for international trade
Time to do away those American Military Base…that does nothing, but an arm race in this Asian region
What Mahathir said of Lee Kuan Yew is correct. What was not said was Mahathir was and still is the biggest BASTARD ever that Malaysia ever has. This Mahathir is not only a bastard, he’s also the biggest thief, robber, recalcitrant, con man, racist ever in Malaysia.
Hello Ah Beng, enough of your cheap interpretation of world politics. You are disgracing our MM with your shallow deduction and your understanding of world politics is definitely one of basement quality. Have a nice day and tell us more of which Ah Lian you have conquered please.
Why MM Lee got it wrong, he still dont get it. The cold war mentality had done nothing except arm race.
What happen when the Soviet Union decided to have a military base in Cuba, not just missile but nukes
The United States was not at ease, she was rather uncomfortable of a Russian Military Base at her own back yard. USA was ready for full scale war, not conventional war but a nuclear war
So, why would North Korea beehave normal, of course with 2 USA military base sandwich between she become panaorid
It is time we do away with such bases once and for all in Asia
Question: who decide what you believe, what you read, what is GOD?
The winner of course. Have you read the Cat-Book? After Cain kill Abel, who did he married? In the book of Jubilee he married his own sister, it keep the line pure which completely explain it. Adam 1st wife was Lilith the succubus made from dust, Adam 2nd wife was Eve taken from his rib found in Gensis. Did anyone read the book of Philip, Thomas, Enoch, James and Judas? What was stunning was found in the book of Peter, his master did not suffer. Did you know the it was the M-Book, that explain Jinn or Angel refused to bow to Adam that Angels rebel not from our text but we accept this explaination. Mary was his most loved disciples, not Peter from the Book of Mary Magdalene. The Cat-Book, that is selected by early Rome decide what we believed (had to be seperate from the J-Book that focus too much on J traditions & practises) still it is very narrow knowledge as most (names and actors) suddenly appears and then not mention anymore. There was a huge gap lost, the boy suddenly become a man. His early years was missing, did you know he raise the little boy from the dead to explain why he did not push him found in the book of Julibee
Who we are? What we are? was decided by a bunch of people in Rome many many years ago (When Rome call the shot what Books to be burn, and later what Books is consider Holy by Rome Standard and draw the line, Books dated later or written later cannot be superceeded) now we are reading the H-Book which again text that excluded Romans cultures and practises (all in the name of UNITY)
What Tom Plate should had written the past of Singapore and the New Singapore and where MM Lee fit in. Example, MM Lee will never allowed Casino, Entertainment like drining pubs. Why did MM Lee give in? the world had change, the way we do business had change, they way to survive into the 21st century had change. MM Lee advise CCCP those Old Guard above 60yrs old to retired early and give the young a chance to shine. Yet, in Singapore he had a post, I guess he is the Special One, exceptation to the rule which he believed in.
Considering the 3 Books, H-Books, Cat-Books and the M-Books.
Coming to the conclusion, why should we adopt a narrow knowledge, why certain chronlces, letters, text are omitted yet others included. It is NOT just about UNITY, but what these Leader in their organisation believe is good for the Self-Preservation of their own kind, in a way best represent their culture and society norms. Example, will they accept the Books of Peter? If Mary Magdalene our Master favorites disciples, after all she was the one to seen the master 1st when the tomb rock was roll over. This will shake (our core value and our establishment) threaten the right that all bishops had to be lead by male only. Of course there are others but too senitive to talk about…(collective interest is very strong) what is best for to keep our way of life
You are all wrong. He is a big frog in the wrong pond! That stupid bastard of the century!
LKY and Mahathir share some common attributes. Both are dictatorial and head-strong. They will fix their opponents who really mattered by foul means or by making their life miserable so as to force them to leave politics for good (LKY: JBJ,Dr Chee, Devan Nair, Ong Teng Cheong; Mahathir: Anwar Ibrahim, Musa Hitam, Abdullah Badawi)
However both are visionary minded and they are personally incorrupt to the highest degree.
Guided democracy rules…
Dr M is a very colorful character and he speak from feelings, you know it going to create huge interest from his Book. While MM Lee tend to select his words carefully, through his thought process, in this politically correct book, well going to be so boring to read
The 3 books on sales H-Book, Cat-Book, J-Book, M-Book
J-Book was intend to keep their own kind pure, the lost text of the Dead Sea Scroll that promote the reaching out to common Gentiles are a threat to their identity and exculsiveness tradition practise
M-Book was intend to keep their old practise and old tradition. Which is a society that is dominated by male, any text that is a threat to their culture and tribal laws dress code must be remove
Cat-Book was intend to her flocks at her own building. The omitted of Peter and Thomas that enourage people to worship at anywhere, it is a direct threat to their insitution and organisation ability to function and to had lost Book of Peter speak of about Master did not suffer (prove the M-Book was right) after all is was just a decoy.
This is dangerous, the message is about conquering death.
H-Book was intend to (survive through centuries) they slected text that are about Harmony Love & Forgiveness. They knew if they got it wrong, the H-Book may end up to elite, a book that appeal to the larger audience. The opposite of the J-Book, that is about a strict father, that control with rules and punishment total obedience
Conculsion: protect your insitution, organisation, party, way of life, your own kind, who side are you on…depend a lot who feed you
Which is perfectly fine with me, I am a very discipline person, every time slot I watch feng-wang tv, what to time read, what time to wake to sleep to eat to bathe to listen to selective radio station
I’ve just returned from a short holiday inMalaysia.
Go buy yourselves (available in Singapore bookshops?) these books.
One written by Zaid Ibrahim (formner Malaysian Law Minister). He wrote “I, too, am a Malay” in both English and Malay. The introspection and truth from the man is simply laudable. Little wonder he gave up the ministership and quit UMNO.
The other two in English (sadly it won’t reach out to the Malay-majority electorates) by Kua Kia Soong “The Patriot Game” and Kim Quek’s “The March to Putrajaya”.
Reading them will increase your insights and knowledge 10-fold as to how people govern for parochial reasons.
LKY only knows how to use ISA and bankruptcy to demolish his own people. When it comes to foreigners, he is as meek as a lamb.