Is Dr. Mahathir popular in the West?
594806
I dunno. Maybe yes maybe not. Are you from Malaysia?
575723
I would disagree with the word "most."  I would also turn a critical eye at western heads of state.  Because corruption is pretty much universal.  The issue, in my opinion, comes to how people rise to the top in undemocratic, semi-democratic, autocratic, and sheerly chaotic (Sudan, Chad) regimes.  Even the democratic regions show signs of nepotism and aspects of being despotic (Egypt, for example).  In the process of becoming a leader, unfortunately, the new, growing leaders have to both defend themselves from life-threatening competitors, and find what we in the west would consider to be illicit means by which they rise to the top.\n\nThe result is the same, corrupt leaders rise to the top and then fight hard to change structures so that they can maintain their condition.  Instead of bequeathing benefits to constituents (aka, bribes.  ie, farmer & crop subsidies), they may behead their competition, for example.  The issue is not whether they are selfish or corrupt but the means by which it is demonstrated.  And since blood is frequently shed, it makes the news, and bingo: appears as a terrible tragedy.\n\nTake a western democracy, reduce its population to sub-grade-school education, add disease, eliminate Common Law,  and you'll end up with the same law of the jungle.  For a glimpse of that animal behavior, watch what happens during times of strife: natural disasters, wars, or epidemics.
1027849
Mr.Ram Dulare. His popularity is soaring in entire rajasthan and starting from a humble beginings from Nagaur,  gotan, today he is the most sought after politician in all the meetings and rallies. The last rally he did at Barmer did shake up Raje Scindia and the mathurs.Immidiately, the govt had to withdraw the ordinance. Even Sonia had to grudgingly accept his stature,
232533
many westerners opose that too\n\nBTW your e.g. is not a good one
642751
Same reason it is popular in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Zimbabwe, West Indies and England. The were all part of the British Empire sometime in the last 200 years. It didn't catch on in Malaysia or Hong Kong, but countries surrounding India like it (Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Kashmir).
1007665
Modernity, Islam and Tradition: \nThe Struggle for the Heart and Soul of Art and Culture in Malaysia\nBy Farish A. Noor\n\nSitting under the porch of the home of Nik Rashidi, a woodcarver in the small settlement of Pantai Cahaya Bulan, in the northern Malaysian state of Kelantan, I find myself discussing the future of traditional woodcarving and local arts. Nik Rashidi and his elder brother, Nik Rashiddin - now sadly departed - are woodcarvers of the old school. Their outstanding work stands today as the very best in traditional Malay woodcarving and some of their pieces have been given as gifts of state to foreign dignitaries ranging from the President of the United States to the Emperor of Japan. Yet here, in the small village where he lives, Nik Rashidi appears to the onlooker as a humble man, almost poor by the standards of the political and business elite who reside in Malaysia's capital Kuala Lumpur.\n\nBeneath Nik Rashidi's simple appearance, however, lies a sensitivity and depth of feeling and understanding that truly befits an artist. Like his late brother Nik Rashiddin, he is driven by an obsessive desire to preserve, promote and revitalise an art that is now almost extinct. Like his brother, he is also worried about the forces of rapid modernisation as well as the growing level of religious puritanism and conservatism that is destroying the fabric of the past and society all around. In his words: "The politicians and the religious leaders keep telling us that we must be modern, and be better Muslims as well. But so often all they want is to destroy everything that is old and traditional, and to erase the past. How can we progress to the future if we don't remember what we were before? And how can we be proper Muslims today if we don't even remember our ancestors of the pre-Islamic past?"\n\nNik Rashidi's concern is very real, for here in the state of Kelantan it is the Islamic opposition party PAS that is in power, and since the they came to power in 1990 there has been a sustained campaign to ban all forms of art, culture and entertainment deemed 'un-Islamic' and 'immoral'. This ban was imposed not only on modern forms of popular culture like Western pop music, but also on traditional arts that go back to the pre-Islamic era. As a result traditional cultural practices such as shadow-puppet theatre, the Mak Yong and Manora dances and traditional pastimes like kite-flying have been restricted, if not stopped altogether. Nik is concerned about how all this will affect his own woodcarving, which is based on traditional motifs and patterns that have strong Hindu and Buddhist influences. He is, in fact, struggling at the centre of an ideological battle for the future of Malaysian identity.\n\n\nA Nation in search of an Identity\n\nMalaysia, like many postcolonial societies of the late 20th century, is currently experiencing a collective identity crisis. The political entity that is known as the Federation of Malaysia today was born in stages: In 1957 independent Malaya was created and in 1963 the federation was expanded to include Singapore as well as the north Borneo states of Sabah and Sarawak. (Singapore later pulled out of the federation in 1965).\n\nIndependent Malaysia, as it came to be known, was searching for its own sense of identity from the very beginning. For centuries the territory had been home to a variety of different ethnic, cultural and religious communities. From the West came successive waves of Indian culture, that contributed to the Indianisation of the Malay archipelago, the emergence of a number of important Malay-Hindu and Buddhist kingdoms such as Majapahit, Mataram and Srivijaya. From the east came the influence of China, which brought with it distinctive Chinese styles and modes of living that were subsequently blended with local tastes and habits. Both Indian (Hindu, Buddhist) and Chinese (Buddhist, Taoist and Confusianist) cultural influences are
193457
Keropok Lekor is from Terengganu, in Malaysia, I think...
510403
Bangkok, known to the Thais as "Krung Thep" (which means the City of Angels), was established in 1782 by King Rama I as capital of Siam. Over the past two centuries, it has developed into a great metropolis with a population of over 5,000,000. Like other modern cities in the world, Bangkok boasts lots of massive building, numerous luxurious hotels, shopping centres, and a modern international airport. But, Bangkok has its charm. It is a mixture of East and West, the traditional and the modern. So, despite its modernization, Bangkok is still best suited for a glimpse of the traditional arts, architecture, religion, and culture of the Thai people
736737
G'day Parvicadi,\n\nThank you for your question.\n\nBasescu is doing a good job as President of Romania as far as I can tell. He seems to be popular with the Romanian people.\n\nRegards
725885
Probably more than we could count. China is a huge country, each place developedit's own style. There are undoubtedly styles No on in the west has even heard of since they are only practiced in remote villages.
62650
hmm, not really a handsome guy, not as popular as zerocool think specially now, I hope he doesn't make any troubles for Iranian. The process of selecting him as president was a little complicated for americans to understand but his main opponent wasnt really popular and many people didn't vote.\nSo dont think Iranian will die for him I totally agree with sadra.\nP.S. : There is no copyright in Iran and pirated movies are common there so Iranian watch western movies sometimes before western people ;)
438488
Generally, Malaysia has a government that implement policies  beneficial to all. \nDuring festivals, we have an open house culture whereby friends of different races visit each others homes enjoying the interaction as well as the different foods served. Many of us have close or good friends of other races. There are also quite a number of inter-racial marriages. We also have this spirit of co-operation & goodwill among us.\n \nWhen there is racial harmony among the different people groups, it makes it easier for a nation to prosper. This has happened & has allowed the government to focus on prospering the nation. Our main political party is made up of 3 major racial groups whose leaders hold ministerial positions in the  government.\n \nOur previous Prime Minister was also a man of great vision for this country and our nation rose up because of policies implemented during his tenure.\n\nThe different religious groups here also pray & sometimes come together to pray for the continual peace & prosperity of this nation.
53793
what kind of social customs you are referring to? malaysia is populated by malays (majority), followed by chinese, indians & etc...\nhowever, they followed mostly islamic's laws, but more relaxed & democratic.
363824
Alamak senang je ni...Informasi gini mungkin susah dicari dalam internet... ur best bet is to go to the national library...get some political books by the tunku or mahathir...give some examples of other countries in the world...n fire away...
131257
It depends on how popular that celebrity is
835363
Umm... If you are looking at the region of Java in Indonesia, You would find them very friendly. Take away the political propaganda in the world and you will find people who are really kind and family orientated. They are traditional folk who like others and are very kind. THe javanese have a lifestyle of not killing their enemies because without them they wouldn't be in check like the Yin and Yang. Yin can not exist without the existence of Yang. This is similar in Bali and I am really pissed off that people still think indonesians are cold blooded killers. The majority of the people who are muslim are moderate muslims who don't want to hurt people. It's the chaotic extremist conservatives that are making things bad.\n\nPhilippine people are social, adaptable, flexible, and hard working. what makes a filipino unique is their ability to love others for who others are plus the social, adaptable, and flexible stuff. This is what makes them so successful in the field.\n\nI know this is only two areas that i know of. I hope i have adequately given you a good response.
976313
It seems Malaysia - which has generally been practicing tolerance in the past - has joined the league of intolerant societies.  It is really, really sad.\n\ncc