Mohammad Suharto not representative of all dictators.

Mohammad Suharto not representative of all dictators.

By

Sher Ali Khan
Contributing Writer

Last week in Indonesia, the famed ruthless despot Mohamed Suharto died at the age 86. As a dictator, he was known for corruption and mass murders during his 31-year term, in addition to hampering Indonesian justice and economic institutions and advantageously using his people for his own ends. Suharto isn’t the sole representation of a dictator in the world, as there have been many that contrast his actions in how a dictator should treat his people.
For instance, in Singapore and Malaysia, Lee Kuan Yew is a leader who brought riches to his country through dictatorial rule. He is in fact held as great man in Singapore because of how his policies and ideals have brought such prosperity and freedom to the people there. Singapore, despite its limited resources and population is now one of the richest countries in the world, thanks in part to his policies.
His legacy is set straight because he is one of the few dictators who didn’t become corrupt and stay in power too long. He is also known for his high intellect and dedication to hard work. Overall, these are all principles that other dictators fail to grasp. Lee Kuan Yew extolled Asian values, as he had witnessed the destruction that colonial rule had imposed on his country. As a leader, through sheer ideals and hard work, he instilled discipline in the Singaporean people to progress and reach the highest marks.
Following Yew’s example, Mahathir Bin Mohammad is probably one of the most revered modern Muslim leaders around the world. As Malaysia’s Mohammad led what was arguably one of the most prosperous Muslim country in the world. His sheer business skills and attention to justice also made him a hero among his people, as he was able to successfully rule for over 22 years as Prime Minister.
Like Lee Kuan Yew, he instilled economic prowess and found a balance between cultures. For example, he created a justice system that included liberal Islamic laws, which ended up becoming the first working system of Islamic law in the world. He also eliminated impunity for the rich, which immediately made him a hero among his people as it gave the poor equal rights to both the monarchs and upper class. With both these dictators, they realized justice was the key to successfully rule any country, as they insured equal amounts of it to all their peoples.
Singapore is said to be the most business friendly location in world, even boasting a GNP higher than Great Britain. As a result, Lee Kuan Yew transforming Singapore through education and population controls. He gave tax relief to those who had no more than three babies and passed laws requiring citizens to save 25 percent of their income so that more citizens could afford homes.
The difference in leadership stems from the education of these leaders, though. Lee Kuan Yew and Mahathir bin Mohammad had different education in comparison to current world dictators, with Yew’s degree in law from Cambridge and Mahathir bin Mohammad’s trade as a doctor.
In comparison, one can just look at leaders such as Saddam Hussein and Hosni Mubarak, where there background was strictly military. Such a lack of proper education greatly hinders their ability as leaders because they only know how to rule by force and order. The political aspect to there leadership in the end hinders the country. Also, a leader, when he compromises his objectives for power, hurts the country infinitely.
Lee Kuan Yew and Mahathir Bin Mohammad is the true notion of a benevolent leader. Lee Kuan Yew, also, is revered as George Washington-type figure within Singapore. In the end, the next time one hears of ruthless dictator, though men like Suharto can and will exist, Mohamad and Yew are ideal symbols of how great a dictator can truly be.

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