BANGKOK: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad turned on the charm at the Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, where he delivered a public lecture titled ‘Malaysia – Thailand Bilateral Relations in the context of Asean’.
Addressing a packed hall, the prime minister spoke off the cuff on a broad range of issues ranging from Malaysia – Thai relations, trade, economics and even social issues.
During the question-and-answer portion of the event, the event moderator, Chayodom Sabharsi, who is the university’s former Dean of the Faculty of Economics, asked Dr Mahathir for his views on the LGBT culture, which drew amused gasps from the audience.
Thailand is known for its liberal views on LGBT culture, contrary to Malaysia, which adopts a more moderate approach.
Dr Mahathir in his reply broke it down to an issue of Western versus traditional Asian values.
“While we cannot live isolated from the rest of the world, value systems are not always the same. I have always upheld Asian values. But some think that the only values worthy of following are Western values.
“If you talk about freedom, there has to be freedom of values as well. Asians will sometimes accept Western values without question, such as fashion, economy and the like.
“But do we have to copy everything? If the West decide one day that everyone should walk around naked, do we have to follow?” he said.
Malaysia, said Dr Mahathir, at this moment does not accept the LGBT culture.
“If others want to accept it, that’s up to them. But don’t force it upon us. Our value system is as good as any. We should be free not to change our mind according to their wishes,” he said.
The 93-year-old was also asked on the secret to his longevity, to which he replied: “Don’t overeat and make use of your brain. Not stopping work after retiring is a good way to prevent an early death,” which drew laughter from the audience.
