Analysing the Rhetoric of Dr. Mahathir’s International Speeches on Corruption

Political speeches are instrumental in shaping public discourse, influencing opinion, and legitimising reform. Despite substantial research on political rhetoric, limited scholarly attention has been given to how Malaysian leaders construct anti-corruption narratives in international contexts. This study addresses this gap by examining the rhetorical strategies employed by Dr. Mahathir during his second tenure as Prime Minister of Malaysia with a focus on speeches themed around corruption. The study aims to (1) explore sub-themes that emerge from the discourse on corruption and (2) identify the use of rhetorical appeals in Dr. Mahathir’s international speeches. Using a qualitative approach supported by elements of descriptive analysis, four speeches were analysed through both thematic and rhetorical lenses. The data comprised 7136 words and 390 sentences. Three sub-themes were identified, which were (1) government and governance in relation to Islamic values and political reform, (2) youth empowerment through ethical leadership, and (3) institutional integrity and recognition of anti-corruption efforts. The analysis revealed a predominant use of logos across all speeches except for one speech where pathos was more prominent. Dr. Mahathir positioned himself as a visionary reformist by contrasting the corruption of “old Malaysia” with the ideals of “New Malaysia”. This study contributes to the understanding of how rhetorical strategies frame political leadership and anti-corruption discourse. Future research could explore comparative perspectives across global leaders to examine how rhetoric shapes public opinion and influences policy responses to corruption.