1. Books as a Window to the World
Mahathir has said many times that reading was his gateway to knowledge when he was young. Growing up in Alor Setar, he didn’t have access to wealth or privilege, but he had books. He read widely, from history to science, medicine to politics, which shaped his worldview.
➡ He often credits books with expanding his imagination beyond the kampung life he was born into.
2. Reading Builds Critical Thinking
For Mahathir, reading wasn’t just about absorbing information—it was about sharpening the mind to think independently. He believes that when people read widely, they question, analyze, and become better problem-solvers.
➡ This belief guided his push for education reforms and policies like the Look East Policy, which was based on learning from Japan and Korea’s success stories.
3. The Doctor Who Reads
As a trained medical doctor, Mahathir valued knowledge that was practical and evidence-based. His medical training taught him the importance of reading journals, research papers, and case studies to make accurate diagnoses.
➡ He carried this same scientific mindset into politics—studying data, history, and global case examples before making policy decisions.
4. Books and Leadership
Mahathir often reminded Malaysians that leaders must be readers. To him, leadership without reading is blind, because decision-makers who don’t learn are limited to their own experiences.
➡ He himself read not only politics but also philosophy, economics, engineering, and biographies of world leaders.
5. Knowledge as a Weapon for Progress
One of Mahathir’s famous principles is:
💡 “The strength of a people lies not in their numbers or wealth, but in their knowledge.”
This is why he invested heavily in education, universities, science, and technology during his tenure. He saw reading and knowledge as the foundation of national independence and competitiveness.
6. Personal Habits
- He was known to spend hours in his office reading reports, journals, and books before meetings.
- Even after retirement, he continued reading daily—keeping up with world affairs, economics, and science.
- In interviews, he emphasized that reading is not just for students, but a lifelong discipline.
🌍 Key Takeaways from Mahathir’s Reading Philosophy
- Reading expands horizons – it takes you beyond your immediate environment.
- Knowledge is practical power – to heal (medicine), to lead (politics), to build (nation).
- Leaders must be readers – leadership requires wisdom, which comes from books and learning.
- Education = Nation’s strength – without knowledge, Malaysia would not progress.
- Reading is lifelong – not something to stop after school or university.
✨ In short, for Mahathir, reading is not a pastime, but a tool of survival and success—both for individuals and nations.
#mahathir #primeminister #reading #read #book
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