Dialogue with Tun M at MMLM Festival

Tun Dr Mahathir arriving at UTAR Sungai Long Campus, greeted by Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik (second from left) and Toh Puan Ena Ling (first from left) and Dato’ Ir Donald Lim (centre)

Fourth Prime Minister of Malaysia Tun Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad spoke to UTAR staff, guests, students and members of the public on creativity and innovation at the 11th Festival of the Mind held at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) Sungai Long Campus on 10 August 2015. This 11th Festival of the Mind was organised by the Malaysia Mental Literacy Movement (MMLM) of which Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik is the Chairman.

UTAR Council Chairman Tun Dr Ling, in his introduction of Tun Dr Mahathir, said that, “I’m sure we all owe Tun Dr Mahathir some debt or favour because of all that he did for Malaysia.” He then went on to say that it was Tun Dr Mahathir who gave the approval to set up UTAR. Tun Dr Ling had always said that UTAR was born in a plane. It was during a nasi lemak lunch on a plane that Tun Dr Ling approached Tun Dr Mahathir for approval to set up UTAR and the rest is history. The audience’s applause was thunderous at the end of Tun Ling’s introduction.

In his dialogue, Tun Dr Mahathir elaborated on the importance of being creative and innovative in all that we do. He said, “We should always observe, create and innovate. We should keep questioning ourselves on how to improve. If we think carefully and long enough, the ideas will come.”

He advocated that a doctor’s approach to diagnosing an illness is a approach to solving a problem. It is methodical and systematic. We probe, gather data, diagnose the problem and then work out a solution. He elaborated that this approach is also applicable in solving crisis in the country. We diagnose first and then seek solution.

When asked by a participant on barriers in communication, Tun Dr Mahathir said, “We may be fluent in our own languages, but to compete with the world, we must be able to speak English as well. English has become the language of the world and it is important for us to learn the language in order to communicate and learn; especially in the field of Science where findings, inventions and discoveries are dynamic.”

In answering a question from the audience, Tun Dr Ling said, “We have come a long way. Malaysia, being multi-racial, multi-cultural and multi-lingual, we are conflict prone, as seen in the past. However, as we live together, come together, school together and develop social norms together, over the years the nation has improved tremendously and this is what Malaysia is all about. We are one community.”

Tun Dr Mahathir advised the youths to always benchmark and make comparisons to grow and improve. He asked them to learn from the past and to select what is good and to improve on it for the good of the society.

Tun Dr Mahathir speaking on the importance of the English language

Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik speaking on Malaysia’s progress as one nation

The festival was also graced by Memoriad World Mental Olympics founder Melik Duyar and Memoriad World Mental Olympics, Mental Arithmetic Flash Anzan Bronze medalist, West Wong.

Wong demonstrated the power of memory by adding up rows and columns of random numbers generated by the computer and flashed swiftly in front of the screen, while Duyar demonstrated his ability to memorize binary codes.

“Our brain has untapped potential, we are yet to use it 100%. But with training every day, we can improve bit by bit”, said Duyar in his presentation.

He also thanked the Malaysia Mental Literacy Movement (MMLM) for promoting and highlighting the importance of the brain in improving memory.

“I am looking forward to seeing you in Las Vegas, USA for Memoriad 2016”, Duyar said with a smile.

MMLM is the brainchild of UTAR Council Chairman Tun Dr. Ling Liong Sik. It is officially registered by the Registrar of Societies (ROS) under the Societies Act 1966 on 4 July 2006.

The Festival of the Mind is jointly organised by the MMLM, UTAR and TAR UC. The festival has attracted favourable response from all segments of society, from young school-going children to working adults and retirees. It is a testament that age is no barrier to the pursuit of knowledge or mental literacy, for continuous personal improvement.

West Wong demonstrating the power of memory in calculation

Duyar memorizing a table of software generated binary codes

Duyar explaining the power of the human mind

Tun Dr Mahathir receiving a token of appreciation from Tun Dr Ling

From left to right: Tun Dr Mahathir, Tun Dr Ling, Duyar and Wong

Tun Dr Mahathir bidding farewell to students and members of the public