A new style of leadership?

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, right, and Malaysia Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad shake hands during a welcome ceremony, in Ankara, Turkey, Thursday, July 25, 2019. Malaysian leader Mahathir Mohamad, 94, is in Turkey for a three-day state visit.(AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici)

TUN Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s visit to Turkey was meant to be exceptional, and the expectations materialised – starting with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan unexpectedly coming to the airport to meet Tun M in person to the national reception with according honours and the programme of this visit.

In March, Dr Mahathir had the same level of reception when attending a military parade on the occasion of Pakistan’s National Day in Islamabad and witnessing the groundbreaking ceremony for a Proton plant in Karachi.