« Cabinet Reshuffle | Main | Too Big For Her Shoes »
February 16, 2006
Money For Nothing
The Malaysian Government paid sleazy Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff US$1.2 million to arrange a meeting between President George Bush and Dr M in 2002.
That's a lot of money, especially as it didn't do much good for the country, let alone Mahathir.
As the Los Angeles Times reports, "the meeting rehabilitated the Malaysian leader's reputation only temporarily."
And here - the ultimate irony:
On one occasion, Abramoff — an orthodox Jew and a supporter of Israel — was asked whether he was comfortable representing a country led by a man known for anti-Semitic comments.Abramoff responded, "They pay their bills on time."
The reverse could be asked of Mahathir, whether he was comfortable dealing with a man known for his support of Israel.
"He got me a meeting with Bush," would probably be his answer.
So why was a meeting with Bush so important for Mahathir?
Posted by aisehman at February 16, 2006 08:10 PM
Trackback Pings
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.aisehman.org/cgi-bin/mt/mtb.cgi/155
Comments
USD1.2 is cheap to rub salt into Al Gore's wound because the Malaysian taxpayers were footing the bill for Mahathir to get back at Al Gore for being 'kurang ajar' at the KL APEC dinner for supporting Anwar and walking off. If it was Mahathir's money, that's different, it's costly. Mahathir was rooting for Bush to beat Al Gore and thanks to the US Supreme Court, Bush won. Besides Mahathir's best friend in the Americas - Fidel Castro said Bush Jr is such a stupid looking man. Mahathir being more handsome certainly looked good grinning next to Bush. Other issues were just secondary. Mahathir did not claim to have advised Bush as he did with the younger Clinton.
Posted by: thienshingvui at February 16, 2006 10:03 PM
If you all don't remember, during the Asian Financial Crises, Dr. M was blaming George Soros, Singapore, Anwar and others as the bogeyman for what we all now know was just as much his fault. If Dr. M did not meet up with Bush, he would have been blamed for future poor relations with the US. His legacy would have been one of breaking ranks with the most powerful nation and most important market to Malaysia.
Posted by: Bigjoe99 at February 17, 2006 10:06 AM
Well The TUn is very smart....in manipulatin others..
for a mere of 1.2 millio..Bush can be bought over...a million for Bush just a pittance considering his stature of resident of the most powerful state in the world.
At least the Tun can say i can buy Bush for a mere 1.2 milion...that is the price of The President of US.
drmuzi
Posted by: drmuzi at February 17, 2006 10:19 PM