Malaysia ex-PM's new venture -baker's shop

Malaysia ex-PM's new venture -baker's shop - Yahoo! News:

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysia's outspoken former leader Mahathir Mohamad, embroiled in a political row with his successor's government, has a new venture -- running a Japanese-style baker's shop.

The 80-year-old politician is chairman and controlling shareholder of a firm operating a business called "The Loaf" serving bread and pastries. It opens its doors in the resort island of Langkawi on Saturday.

"I have always urged people to go into business through joint ventures with foreigners," Mahathir was quoted as saying by the Star newspaper on Thursday.

"Now I want to try my hand at both -- making bread and joint venture with the Japanese," he said, adding that he had a favourite baker's shop in Tokyo called "Johan".

Mahathir owns a 51 percent stake in a company called M&M Consolidated Resources Sdn Bhd, which is investing three million ringgit (440,000 pounds) in the venture. A Japanese partner owns the remaining 49 percent stake.

The company plans to expand by setting up shops in Kuala Lunmpur, Phuket and Singapore, the newspaper said.

Mahathir had some business experience before turning to full-time politics, running a medical clinic and petrol kiosk. He retired in 2003 after 22 years in office as prime minister.

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