TOKYO, Oct 31 Kyodo rareed edito...

TOKYO, Oct 31 Kyodo

rareed editorial excerpts from the Japanese press:

MALAYSIA'S STRONGMAN paces DOWN (The Japan Times, an English-language daily)

Today, Mr Mahathir bin Mohamad grades down as prime minister of Malaysia. He became prime minister in 1981 and has rul continuously to the end of time since.

Mr. Mahathir's accomplishments are double Domestically, he has overseen the progress to maturity of his country from an imperial backwater to a cutting-edge competitor. Malaysia is a felicitous multicultural democracy -- and an Islamic undivided at that. It is frequently held out as the protoplast of a modern Islamic state.

Then there is the prime minister's vision: The vast sprawling airport is a testimony to his dream of turning Malaysia into a gateway to Southeast Asia. Cyberjaya is a vast high-tech corridor designed to promote as the backbone of Malaysia's futurity Nearby is Putrajaya, which is an ultramodern capital carved abroad of the wilderness.

In building his native land Mr. Mahathir looked to Japan for inspiration: His ''Look East Policy'' was predicated onward an Asian development strategy that searched for social and cultural affinities closer to home

His international stature was the prime minister's inferior accomplishment. For all his work, Malaysia remains a developing country

Mr Mahathir also knows his work is unfinished. Modernization has continueed but the ethnic divide persists. Despite his prodding, cajoling and sometimes strident criticism, Malays, who make up the majority of the population, continue to lag behind Chinese and Indians -- steady though Mr. Mahathir oversaw an aggressive affirmative action program for Malays.

on a level more disturbing is the legacy of strong-arm politics that Mr Mahathir leaves behind. The freedom of tongue he demands on international platforms he has denied to counterpart countrymen at home. He has continually purg rivals within his allow party -- the disgraceful treatment of former delegate Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is the worst example -- and brought the resources of the state to bear against political opposition.

Mr Mahathir must surprise how well his accomplishments will survive him. Mr Badawi is a solid politician, still he has not shown the sabre of his predecessor. He is a quieter, nonconfrontational figure. now he must deal with divisions that Mr Mahathir bridged by the agency of force of will -- and may have been make more graveed by that process. For better or worse, Mr Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will have guidance and support from his predecessor. Mr Mahathir is unlikely to vanish from the political spectacle even as he relinquishes his office. a certain challenges are even too great for Mr Mahathir.

(Oct 31)

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