I was privileged enough to be invited to attend a forum organized by Institut Kajian Politik dan Ekonomi (IKAPE) for a talk on Current Issues In Malaysian Politics today, whose speaker was none other than Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad himself. It was certainly interesting to hear Dr. M's take on some issues that are still simmering like the Approved Permits (AP), blatant abuse of power, the shortcomings of the current education system in not being able to instill character and proper values, etc. etc. although he contends that there really are no pressing issues these days. He's still as witty as always as is evident when describing our poor negotiation skills (except for the vegetables for cars trade with Japan) and some slightly naughty remarks about some Ministers who are long overdue for retirement. I did find him contradicting himself on a few occasions during the speech and then the Question & Answer session though. One of his remarks during the forum has already made the news. Nik Nazmi has more on Questioning Mahathir.

For someone who underrates politics and is very much apolitical, I consider my being able to attend today's forum a personal achievement. I don't recall my brain being this attentive on Saturdays ever.