The seventh Prime Minister of Malaysia is a leader from Malaysia named Mahathir Mohamad. In addition, the seasoned lawmaker served as prime minister from 1981 to 2003. He has a career covering more than seven decades and is one of Malaysia’s most admired politicians. In his prior role as prime minister, he created policies that aided in the growth of businesses and increased access to education for all citizens of the nation. Mahathir never wavered from his beliefs despite receiving a lot of flak for his policies. He is a successful lawmaker because of his constructive stubbornness. His expulsion from politics for opposing the present regime served as the first illustration of this resolve. Instead of cowering, he resumed the criticism by writing “The Malay Dilemma.” The resignation of Prime Minister Rahman was greatly influenced by this work. Because of his lengthy tenure, he is now widely regarded as the most significant political figure in Malaysian history. He is currently in his nineties and the Malaysian Prime Minister is the oldest surviving head of state or government.
Early Youth & Life
Mahathir Mohamad was born in Malaysia on July 10, 1925. He grew up in a destitute community in the Kedah region’s Alor Setar. Mohamed bin Iskandar was the name of his father. He was a poor socioeconomic status principal. His mother was a remote descendant of the Kedah aristocracy.
Mahathir did exceptionally well in education. He received a scholarship for secondary education in England.
He finished secondary education after the conflict. At Singapore’s “King Edward VII College of Medicine,” he entered medical school.
Mahathir Mohamad’s Career
Mahathir received his first employment in the medical field following his graduation from medical school. Up until 1956, he was a federal service physician. He established a private business and moved back to his hometown of Alor Setar in the same year. At the time, he was the sole Asian physician in the region. Politics was Mahathir’s second passion. As a student, he participated in demonstrations where he promoted Malaysia’s freedom.
During his tenure in Alor Setar, he was a staunch supporter of the “United Malays National Organization.” He rapidly rose to prominence among the group thanks to his charismatic support for his views. He was on the verge of running for governor in 1959 but decided against it out of disapproval of his disagreement with Tunku Abdul Rahman, the Prime Minister.
He earned his first election for public office in 1964. He won the election to the federal parliament position representing Kota Setar Selatan. Mahathir entered politics at a challenging moment in history. In 1969, racial animosity between Chinese and Malay’s people boiled over. Mahathir ran unsuccessfully for reelection in that same year.
Numerous Chinese and Malay people were slain during the race riots in May 1969. Rahman was criticized by Mahathir in an open letter for supporting Chinese interests. Because of this, she was able to get him expelled from the UMNO party and dismissed from the Supreme Council.
The Malay Dilemma, his debut book, was released in 1970. It was another criticism of Rahman’s administration’s neglect of the Malay people. This complaint led to the book’s prohibition. After a three-year break from politics, Mahathir entered it again in 1973. Under the leadership of new Prime Minister Abdul Razak Hussein, he was named a senator.
He was named the Minister of Education in 1974. Additionally, he captured Kubang Pasu’s House of Representatives seat. He successfully campaigned for and was elected to the UMNO party’s vice presidency. He was then appointed deputy prime minister as a result of this.
He was appointed prime minister in 1981. He fought with the royal family for more power during the first two years of his presidency. Mahathir’s reformist policies had a significant influence on Malaysian politics from 1981 to 2003. The fact that he has served as his country’s elected leader for more than two decades attests to his achievements.
In 2003, he made his political exit known. Mahathir penned several books while in retirement, with his memoirs, published in 2011, being the most recent.
After being absent for a while, he made a comeback to politics in 2015 following the 1Malaysia Development Berhad controversy. He frequently advocated for the resignation of Prime Minister Najib Razak and openly criticized his administration. He joined the Pakatan Harapan party, then started a new political group that he combined with Pakatan Harapan to create a coalition.
By 2017, he was heavily engaged in national politics and was floated as a potential Pakatan Harapan candidate for prime minister. His formal announcement of running for prime minister came in January 2018. Pakatan Harapan won the 14th Malaysian general election on May 9, 2018, and Mahathir Mohamad, the party’s head, is on track to take office as Malaysia’s new prime minister.
Mahathir’s Bigger Productions
The Malay Problem, written by Mahathir in 1970, is his most important publication. Many academics concur that Rahman’s downfall that same year was significantly influenced by this work.
His rehabilitation plan during the 1998 Asian financial crisis was his greatest accomplishment while serving as prime minister. By tying the money to the US dollar, he defied the advice of his advisors. Malaysia’s bold action allowed it to recoup more quickly than other nations.
Recognition & Accomplishments
For his contributions to economic growth, the Malaysian people gave him the moniker “The Father of Transformation.”
Personal Influence & Life
In 1956, Mahathir wed Siti Hasmah, his college love. The following year, the pair welcomed Marina as their first child. Six more children total—three blood and three adopted—are born to them. Mirzan, Melinda, Mokhzani, Mukhriz, Maizura, and Mazhar are their names.
Estimated Net Worth
Mahathir’s net wealth is thought to be $550 million. In the energy and gas sector, his son Mokhzani has also accumulated a fortune of nearly $1 billion.
Trivia
This well-known politician has written 16 novels as well.