38 months later

Fresh wind to Malaysia. "Mike Tyson", the disgraced ex-MB of Selangor , said Abdullah Badawi had bought much openness and transparency to his administration, while on the international stage the PM had established greater rapport with world leaders, especially the superpowers. “This new climate has spurred the economy, more so with new growth corridors and sectors created,” he said at a forum held at the end of a national seminar entitled Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s Three Years in Putrajaya: Trailblazing a Brighter Future for Malaysia yesterday. That's The Star's take ["Abdullah brings a fresh wind to Malaysia", here].

The NST ["Praise, criticism for Pak Lah"], reporting on the same seminar, said the speakers/panelists agreed that Abdullah's 38 months' tenure had widened the gap between rich and poor, one state and another, between one race and another, and between classes within the same race. Also, Abdullah's leadership was also seen as too soft and accommodative, and often sent out conflicting messages to the people.

The main challenges that Abdullah must overcome, in effect, suggest that corruption has not been nipped in the bud and the economy is not in good (or safe) hands. [click here for the NST's piece]