Sunday, February 04, 2007

Can Dr M be our first Nobel Laureate?

PM happy Dr M nominated for Nobel Peace Prize

SEREMBAN: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is happy his predecessor Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has been nominated for this year’s Nobel Peace Prize.

“I will be happy together with all Malaysians if he wins the Nobel Peace Prize. But it will be up to those who are evaluating it,” he said after launching the “One Family One Counsellor” programme.

Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim described the nomination as jubilant news and a milestone for the country in the international arena.

“For once, Malaysia is on a level to be able to offer one of its sons for a Nobel Prize,” he added.

Sunday Star had reported that the Sarejevo School of Science and Technology, the Congress of Bosnik Intellectuals and two Christian groups – the Serb Civic Council from Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Croat National Council – submitted Dr Mahathir’s name to the Norwegian Nobel Committee last month.

Echoing his sentiment is constitutional law professor Shad Saleem Faruqi who drafted the Kuala Lumpur Initiative to Criminalise War which was launched by Dr Mahathir in December 2005.

Prof Shad said Dr Mahathir’s contribution to world peace was subtle but significant in that he believed that economics could be used as an instrument of peace and social justice.

“His vision is of an ethnic mosaic where people can live together, allowing differences, yet are able to achieve unity in diversity.

“This is different from the melting pot concept that the West is more familiar with and for that innovative concept, Dr Mahathir should be recognised by the Nobel Committee,” he added.

2 comments:

Maverick SM said...

I believe he will, for he is the only one outstanding, a Malaysian.

Maverick SM said...

Ya Dr M can. But is he deserving? I have my reservation.