The Malays are spiritually inclined, tolerant, and easy-going. The non-Malays, and especially the Chinese, are materialistic, aggressive, and have an appetite for work. For equality to come about, it is necessary that these strikingly contrasting races adjust to each other.

Not many dictators announce their resignation, but I did because I didn't want to stay on and overstay my welcome.

The Chinese are welcome to invest in industries in Malaysia. But just as we would not welcome mass immigration of Indians or Pakistanis or Europeans or Africans into Malaysia, we have to adopt the same stance on Chinese immigration into Malaysia.

Sudden change, even if it is for the good, is disruptive.

I assume that people react to things as I would react. For example, if you are nice to people, they should be nice to you.

The biggest mistake that I have made in my life is choosing Najib.

The Internet has played a major role in undermining public morality.

In the eyes of the world, Malaysia has become a pariah state, a state where anyone can be hauled up and questioned by the police, detained, and charged through abusing laws of the country.

I am the first authoritarian government elected to become a dictator and then resigning as a dictator. So this is the first dictator in the world who has resigned while still quite healthy.

If the countries of Europe and of North America can be almost uniformly prosperous, we don't see why we cannot be allowed to be a little prosperous.

We have had dealings with terrorists for a long time. From 1948 until 1990, we had domestic terrorism because the pro-communist groups wanted to overthrow the colonial government.

Running a democratic country is one of the most difficult things for any government.

When developing countries go to the WTO and register their protest over things, they should be heard. Their views should be considered by the rich countries.

When you are in the government, you have to demonise your opposition.

When the people believe that the print media and the government-controlled TV are not really reporting what is happening, then people turn away from them, and their next resort is, of course, to access the Internet and what they can get on the Internet.

When I was first named as Deputy Prime Minister, there was a feeling of shock that I should be chosen because I was labeled as being an ultra and very anti-Chinese.

For me, to say I want to go to sleep and retire and prepare for my afterlife, I think that is very selfish.

A country without engineering skill and knowledge will never become a developed country.

The West is very impatient. You want overnight change.

There are certain things that we can deal with by following the rules. But at times, we find the rules restrict you from doing the right things. On such occasions, we have to rethink - either you change the rules or break the rules.

When you have a prime minister who is corrupt, then you can be sure that a country cannot be anything else but corrupt.

Planning means looking ahead.

I am saying that currency trading is unnecessary, unproductive, and immoral. It should be stopped. It should be made illegal.

It is always the right of the mighty which prevails over the weak, and that is very primitive.