BOOK ON DR M LAUNCHED

PUTRAJAYA, 22 Feb (Bernama) – “Conversations with Mahathir Mohamad” is
solely my book, says the author, Tom Plate, asserting the originality of his
latest piece.

“This is not his (Dr Mahathir's) book. This is a book by Tom Plate,” said
Plate at the launch of the book under the "Giants of Asia" series.

It was launched here at the Perdana Leadership Foundation by Chris Newson,
general manager and publisher of Marshall Cavendish International, and Plate
himself.

“I write the book that I want to write. This is not the book that he
(Mahathir) wants to write. It is an appreciation but a critical appreciation to
me,” said Plate.

Plate said Dr Mahathir strongly disagreed on several points in the book.

“But that is how it should be,” said Plate, the American journalist who had
four conversations with Dr Mahathir from 2009 to 2010 before completing the
book.

Before it was published, Plate said he had told the former Prime Minister
that he might not agree with everything in this book.

But Dr Mahathir said to him, “I know that. It doesn’t bother me. I just want
you to write what you think is honest.”

Plate said he had also offered to show the book to Dr Mahathir before it was
published, as he did with Lee Kuan Yew.

But again Dr Mahathir said: “I don’t want to see the book. You interviewed
me and you got my answers.”

“Conversations with Mahathir Mohamad” is the second volume in the "Giants of
Asia" series after “Conversations with Lee Kuan Yew".

Four charities in Malaysia will receive a total of RM200,000 (US$64,516)
from the sale of 20 autographed limited editions of “Conversations with Mahathir
Mohamad”.

Priced at RM10,000 (US$3,225) each, the limited editions are specially
autographed by Plate and Mahathir.

The four charities are Montfort Boys Town, the Society of Severely Mentally
Handicapped of Selangor and the Federal Territory, the Thalassemia Association
of Malaysia and the Down Syndrome Association of Malaysia.

The 248-page book is priced at RM79.90 (US$25.77).