Mahathir Mohamad facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Yang Amat Berbahagia Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad DK I (Johor) DK (Kedah) DK (Perlis) DKNS DK I (Brunei) DUK SMN SPMJ SPCM SSDK SSAP SSMT SPNS DUPN SPDK DUNM SBS SUMW DP PIS KmstkNO
محاضر محمد
Mahathir in 2018
4th & 7th Prime Minister of Malaysia
In office 10 May 2018 – 24 February 2020 Interim: 24 February – 1 March 2020
Monarch	Muhammad V Abdullah
Deputy	Wan Azizah Wan Ismail
Preceded by	Najib Razak
Succeeded by	Muhyiddin Yassin
In office 16 July 1981 – 31 October 2003
Monarch	Ahmad Shah Iskandar Azlan Shah Ja'afar Salahuddin Sirajuddin
Deputy	Musa Hitam Ghafar Baba Anwar Ibrahim Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
Preceded by	Hussein Onn
Succeeded by	Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
Political offices held 1st Chairman of the Homeland Fighter's Party In office 12 August 2020 – 17 December 2022 President Mukhriz Mahathir Preceded by Position established Succeeded by Position vacant 1st Chairman of Pakatan Harapan In office 14 July 2017 – 24 February 2020 President Wan Azizah Wan Ismail Preceded by Position established Succeeded by Anwar Ibrahim Chairman of the Malaysian United Indigenous Party In office 7 September 2016 – 28 May 2020 President Muhyiddin Yassin Preceded by Position established Succeeded by Muhyiddin Yassin (acting) 5th President of the United Malays National Organisation In office 28 June 1981 – 31 October 2003 Deputy Musa Hitam Ghafar Baba Anwar Ibrahim Abdullah Ahmad Badawi Preceded by Hussein Onn Succeeded by Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
Ministerial roles
1974–1978	Minister of Education
1976–1981	Deputy Prime Minister
1978–1981	Minister of Trade and Industry
1981–1986	Minister of Defence
1986–1999	Minister of Home Affairs
1998–1999	Minister of Finance
2001–2003	Minister of Finance
2020	Acting Minister of Education
Other roles
2003	Secretary-General of the Non-Aligned Movement
Personal details
Born	Mahathir bin Mohamad (1925-07-10) 10 July 1925 (age 99) Alor Setar, Kedah, Unfederated Malay States
Nationality	Malaysian
Political party	United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) (1946‍–‍1969, 1972‍–‍2008, 2009‍–‍2016) Malaysian United Indigenous Party (BERSATU) (2017‍–‍2020) Homeland Fighter's Party (PEJUANG) (2020‍–‍2023) Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia (PUTRA) (2023‍–‍present)
Other political affiliations	Barisan Nasional (BN) (1946‍–‍1969, 1972‍–‍2008, 2009‍–‍2016) Pakatan Harapan (PH) (2017‍–‍2020) Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA) (2022‍–‍2023) Independent (IND) (1969‍–‍1972, 2008‍–‍2009, 2016, 2020, 2023)
Spouse	Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali ​ (m. 1956)​
Children	7, including Marina, Mokhzani and Mukhriz
Parents	Mohamad Iskandar [ms] (father) Wan Tempawan Wan Hanapi (mother)
Relatives	Ismail Mohamed Ali (brother-in-law)
Residences	No. 58, Mines Resort City, Seri Kembangan, Selangor, Malaysia
Education	Sultan Abdul Hamid College
Alma mater	King Edward VII College of Medicine (MBBS)
Occupation	Politician author doctor
Awards	Full list
Signature

Mahathir bin Mohamad (Jawi: محاضر بن محمد; IPA: [mahaðɪ(r) bɪn mohamad]; born 10 July 1925) is a Malaysian politician, writer, and doctor. He served as the prime minister of Malaysia two times. First, from 1981 to 2003, and then again from 2018 to 2020. He is the longest-serving prime minister in Malaysia's history, holding the position for a total of 24 years.

Before becoming prime minister, he was the Deputy Prime Minister and held other important jobs in the government. He was also a Member of Parliament for different areas like Langkawi and Kubang Pasu. His political journey began in the 1940s. He is known as the "Father of Modernisation" (Bapa Pemodenan) because he helped change Malaysia's economy and build new things. In 2018, he led a group of opposition parties called Pakatan Harapan to win the general elections.

Mahathir's Early Life and School

Mahathir's birthplace in Alor Setar.

Mahathir was born on 10 July 1925, in Alor Setar, Kedah. At that time, Kedah was a British protectorate. His mother, Wan Tempawan Wan Hanapi, was Malay. His father, Mohamad Iskandar, was a Malay with some Indian family background. Mahathir's grandfather came from Kerala, India. Unlike other early prime ministers, Mahathir was not born into a rich or famous family. His father was a school principal.

Mahathir was a very dedicated student. His father taught him to be disciplined, and he focused on his studies. He was not very interested in sports. He got into a special English-speaking secondary school. He learned English very well, much faster than his friends. During World War II, schools closed because of the Japanese occupation of Malaya. Mahathir started a small business selling coffee and snacks like pisang goreng to help his family.

After the war, Mahathir finished secondary school with excellent results. He went to study medicine at the King Edward VII College of Medicine in Singapore. He later received honorary degrees from the University of Malaya. He said he valued his time in Singapore.

Becoming a Doctor (1953–1959)

After finishing medical school in 1953, Mahathir worked as a government doctor for four years. He worked in hospitals in Penang and Kedah. In 1956, he married Siti Hasmah. The next year, he opened his own clinic called "Maha Clinic" in Alor Setar. He was the first Malay doctor in the town and was very successful.

He was known as a caring doctor. He would visit patients at their homes even late at night. If patients could not pay him right away, he let them pay in small amounts. He built a big house and invested in different businesses. He also helped start the Malay Chamber of Commerce.

Starting in Politics (1959–1970)

Mahathir became active in politics after the Japanese occupation. He joined protests against new citizenship rules for non-Malays. He also spoke up for Malay rights in medical college. He wrote articles for a newspaper and a student journal, strongly supporting Malay rights.

While working as a doctor, Mahathir joined the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO). This was Malaysia's main political party that supported Malay interests. By 1959, he was the head of the party in Kedah. He did not run in the 1959 election because he disagreed with the Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman. Mahathir wanted candidates to have certain education levels, but Tunku Abdul Rahman disagreed.

In the 1964 election, Mahathir was elected to the federal parliament for the Kota Setar Selatan area. During this time, he strongly spoke about Singapore's place in Malaysia. He criticized Singapore's main party for being "pro-Chinese." Singapore later left Malaysia in 1965.

In the 1969 election, Mahathir lost his seat. He believed Chinese voters switched their support. After this election, there were race riots in Malaysia. Mahathir openly criticized the government and the Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman. He was then removed from UMNO.

While out of the party, Mahathir wrote his first book, The Malay Dilemma. This book talked about the challenges faced by the Malay community. It was banned for a while. Many people believe Mahathir's strong criticisms helped lead to Tunku Abdul Rahman's resignation in 1970.

Becoming a Leader (1970–1981)

After Tunku Abdul Rahman resigned, Abdul Razak Hussein became Prime Minister. Razak invited Mahathir back to UMNO. In 1973, Mahathir was appointed as a Senator. He quickly moved up in Razak's government. In 1974, he became the Minister for Education. He also won back his parliamentary seat without anyone opposing him.

As Education Minister, he made changes to give the government more control over universities. He also tried to limit political activities on university campuses. In 1975, Mahathir ran for one of the three vice-president positions in UMNO. He won, which showed he was a strong candidate for future leadership.

When Razak passed away in 1976, Hussein Onn became Prime Minister. Hussein chose Mahathir to be his deputy. This meant Mahathir was next in line to become prime minister. Although Hussein and Mahathir were not very close, Mahathir became prime minister in 1981 when Hussein stepped down due to health reasons.

First Time as Prime Minister (1981–2003)

Starting as Prime Minister (1981–1987)

Mahathir became prime minister on 16 July 1981, when he was 56 years old. One of his first actions was to release 21 people who had been held under the Internal Security Act. He chose his friend, Musa Hitam, as his deputy.

In his first two years, Mahathir worked to strengthen his position in UMNO and the government. In 1983, he had a disagreement with Malaysia's royal rulers. He wanted to limit the power of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (the head of state). He proposed changes to the Constitution to make sure bills became law even if the Agong did not approve them quickly. After some public debate and a compromise, the Agong kept some powers, but Mahathir's government gained more influence.

A 2012 prototype of the Proton Prevé Sapphire. Mahathir believed that an automotive industry could help turn Malaysia into becoming an industrial nation.

Mahathir continued the New Economic Policy. This policy aimed to help the bumiputera (Malays and indigenous people) in the economy. He also started to privatise government companies. This meant selling them to private businesses. This helped the government earn money and created new chances for Bumiputera businesses. Many airlines, utilities, and telecom companies were privatised.

Important projects during this time included building the North–South Expressway. This is a major highway from the Thai border to Singapore. He also started the car company Proton. Proton became the biggest carmaker in Southeast Asia with government support.

During Mahathir's early years, there was a rise in Islamic practices among Malays. Mahathir tried to address this by setting up Islamic institutions. He also encouraged a popular Islamic youth leader, Anwar Ibrahim, to join UMNO.

Strong Leadership and Economic Growth (1990–1998)

A view of Petronas Twin Towers and the surrounding central business district in Kuala Lumpur.

In 1991, Mahathir introduced Vision 2020. This was a plan for Malaysia to become a fully developed country within 30 years. It aimed for strong economic growth and to reduce differences between ethnic groups. Poverty in Malaysia decreased significantly. Mahathir's government also lowered business taxes to attract foreign investment. The economy grew very fast, and many other countries looked to Malaysia as an example.

Mahathir started many big building projects in the 1990s. These included the Multimedia Super Corridor, a technology hub near Kuala Lumpur. He also developed Putrajaya as the new government center. Other projects included bringing a Formula One Grand Prix to Sepang.

In 1997, the Asian financial crisis hit Malaysia. The value of the Malaysian currency, the ringgit, dropped sharply. Foreign investments left the country. Mahathir decided to use his own economic plan, different from what the International Monetary Fund (IMF) suggested. He increased government spending and fixed the ringgit's value to the US dollar. Malaysia recovered faster than its neighbours. This was seen as a big success for Mahathir.

During this time, Mahathir also had another conflict with the royal families. He worked to remove their special legal protection from lawsuits. The media supported Mahathir, and the royal families eventually agreed to the changes. This made Mahathir even more powerful.

Last Years and Handover (1998–2003)

Mahathir addressing the United Nations General Assembly on 25 September 2003

By the mid-1990s, Anwar Ibrahim, Mahathir's deputy, started to show his own leadership ambitions. Their relationship became difficult during the Asian financial crisis. In 1998, Mahathir removed Anwar as deputy prime minister and finance minister. Anwar was also expelled from UMNO. This caused public protests.

In 2002, Mahathir announced he would resign as prime minister. His supporters tearfully asked him to stay. He then set his retirement for October 2003. This gave him time to prepare for a smooth handover to his chosen successor, Abdullah Badawi. After 22 years, Mahathir was the longest-serving elected leader in the world when he retired.

Malaysia's Global Connections

During Mahathir's time as prime minister, Malaysia had good relationships with Western countries, even though he sometimes spoke out against them. He started the "Look East Policy," encouraging Malaysia to learn from Asian countries like Japan. He believed in Asian ways of development.

Relations with the United States

Mahathir sometimes criticized the United States' foreign policy. However, the two countries still had good relations. The US was a major source of foreign investment and a big customer for Malaysian goods.

Mahathir believed that society's interests were more important than individual interests in Asia. He said that Asian countries needed economic growth more than some civil liberties.

Relations with Australia

Mahathir's relationship with Australia was sometimes difficult. In 1993, the Australian Prime Minister, Paul Keating, called Mahathir "recalcitrant" for not attending a meeting. This caused a diplomatic problem between the two countries.

Relations with Singapore

Relations with Singapore were often tense during Mahathir's time. There were disagreements over issues like water prices and a proposed new bridge.

Supporting Bosnia and Herzegovina

Mahathir was a strong supporter of Bosniaks in Bosnia and Herzegovina during the Bosnian War. His government allowed Bosnians to come to Malaysia without a visa. Malaysia also sent UN Peacekeeping forces to the country. Mahathir also opened a friendship bridge in the Bosnian capital, Sarajevo.

After His First Time as Prime Minister (2003–2015)

Mahathir at National Day celebrations in August 2007

When Mahathir retired, he was given the highest honor in Malaysia, allowing him to use the title "Tun." Under his leadership, Malaysia became an industrial nation. He said he would leave politics completely. However, he remained influential.

Mahathir continued to be active, giving speeches and participating in international events. He believed in staying busy, saying, "Never retire. You have to work. When you work, it will keep you alive." He also served as the Chancellor of Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP).

Mahathir and his successor, Abdullah, had disagreements. Mahathir criticized Abdullah's decisions, especially regarding the Proton car company. He also felt that the Malaysian media was not giving his views enough attention. So, he started writing a column for an online news site and his own blog.

In 2008, after UMNO lost many seats in the election, Mahathir left the party. He rejoined when Abdullah was replaced by Najib Razak in 2009.

Returning to Politics (2015–2018)

Mahathir repeatedly asked Prime Minister Najib Razak to resign because of the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) corruption scandal. In 2015, he joined a large protest against the scandal. In 2016, he led a group of political figures and organizations calling for Najib's resignation. This declaration gathered over a million signatures.

Mahathir left UMNO in 2016 and formed a new party called Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (BERSATU). He became its chairman. In 2017, his new party joined the opposition group called Pakatan Harapan. Mahathir became the chairman and prime ministerial candidate for this group.

In early 2018, Mahathir was announced as Pakatan Harapan's candidate for prime minister. Wan Azizah, the wife of his former political rival Anwar, ran as his deputy. Mahathir promised to seek a pardon for Anwar, so Anwar could become prime minister later.

Second Time as Prime Minister (2018–2020)

Mahathir meets with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in 2018

After Pakatan Harapan won the election on 10 May 2018, Mahathir was sworn in as prime minister. He became the world's oldest serving state leader at 92 years old. He was also the first Malaysian prime minister not from UMNO. His deputy, Wan Azizah, became Malaysia's first female deputy prime minister.

In April 2019, Time magazine listed Mahathir among the 100 most influential people.

Changes in Malaysia

As prime minister, Mahathir promised to "restore the rule of law" and investigate the 1Malaysia Development Berhad scandal. He said that Najib Razak would face consequences if found guilty. Mahathir also stopped Najib and his wife from leaving the country.

Mahathir formed his new government with 29 ministers. He removed the unpopular Goods and Services Tax. He also aimed to reduce government spending by cutting down on large building projects. The freedom of the press in Malaysia improved slightly during his time.

In October 2019, Mahathir announced the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030. This plan aimed to increase incomes for all ethnic groups and focus on technology. He wanted Malaysia to become a high-income country by 2030.

International Relations

On 21 May 2018, Mahathir meets with United States Ambassador to Malaysia Kamala Shirin Lakhdhir

Early in his second term, Mahathir visited Japan and Indonesia to strengthen good relations. He also brought up a water dispute with Singapore again.

Mahathir condemned the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018. He also spoke out against the assassination of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani by the United States in 2020.

North Korea

Mahathir supported the peace efforts between North Korea and the United States. He said the world should trust North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's new attitude towards peace. Malaysia also planned to reopen its embassy in North Korea.

Israel and Palestine

In 2019, Malaysia was supposed to host the World Para Swimming Championships. However, Mahathir's government announced they would ban athletes from Israel from the competition. This was to show support for the Palestinian National Authority. Mahathir said Israel was "a criminal nation." Because of this decision, Malaysia lost the right to host the championships.

China and Hong Kong

Mahathir's government wanted to keep good relations with China. However, he reviewed some large projects with China, calling them "unequal treaties." He suspended work on some projects and cancelled others.

In 2019, Mahathir said he thought Carrie Lam should resign as the Chief Executive of Hong Kong. He feared a repeat of the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests.

Political Changes and Resignation (2020)

In February 2020, disagreements within the Pakatan Harapan coalition led to a political crisis. Mahathir resigned as prime minister on 24 February 2020. The King accepted his resignation and appointed him as interim prime minister. Mahathir then left his party, BERSATU.

On 29 February, the King appointed Muhyiddin Yassin as the new prime minister. Muhyiddin was sworn in the next day. Mahathir disagreed with this decision.

After His Second Time as Prime Minister (2020–Present)

Mahathir meets with United States Ambassador to Malaysia Brian D. McFeeters on 22 November 2021

In August 2020, Mahathir formed a new party called the Homeland Fighter's Party (PEJUANG). His son, Mukhriz, and other MPs joined him. In August 2021, Mahathir and other MPs protested, asking for Muhyiddin's resignation over the government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In June 2022, Mahathir made comments suggesting that Singapore and the Riau Islands of Indonesia should be claimed by Malaysia. In September 2022, he said he was open to becoming prime minister for a third time if there were no other suitable candidates. He decided to run in the 2022 general election. However, he lost his parliamentary seat for the first time in 53 years. No candidate from his party won a seat. He later said he would focus on writing about Malaysian history.

In February 2023, Mahathir and 13 others left PEJUANG and joined another party called Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia (Putra). Later in 2023, Mahathir started promoting a "Malay Proclamation" to unite Malays. He met with other political leaders to gain support for this document.

In January 2024, Mahathir made comments about Malaysian Indians. He claimed they were not fully loyal to Malaysia and should identify as Malays and speak Malay. These remarks were criticized by many politicians and organizations.

In 2024, Mahathir's sons were called in by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for investigations related to corruption. The MACC is looking into whether Mahathir had corruption or abuse of power during his time as prime minister. Mahathir has stated that the MACC has not provided any evidence against him.

Mahathir's Political Ideas

Mahathir speak about "The Future of Democracy in Asia" in Chatham House, United Kingdom

Mahathir is known for supporting Malay nationalism. His religious beliefs have also shaped his political views. He has changed his political ideas over his long career. In the 1980s, he supported "Third-Worldism," which focused on developing countries. Later, he promoted "Asian values" and globalization. He often criticizes Western countries and their politics.

Many developing and Islamic countries respect Mahathir. This is because Malaysia grew economically during his leadership. He also supported some liberal Islamic values. In his book, The Malay Dilemma, he argued that Malays needed more government support. However, in 2021, he said he did not believe in "Ketuanan Melayu" (Malay supremacy). Instead, he believed in "Bangsa Malaysia", which means a Malaysian nation where all ethnic groups are included.

Mahathir has been described as having an "authoritarian" style of leadership. He is against expanding LGBT rights in Malaysia. He also opposed special legal protection for Malaysia's royal families.

Mahathir's Personal Life

Mahathir - Siti Hasmah wedding day (5 August 1956)

Mahathir enjoys hobbies like sailing, horse riding, and carpentry. He has even built a working steam train and a boat. He believes his long life comes from eating well, reading newspapers daily, exercising, and having good posture. His favorite song is "My Way". He owns many horses that were given to him as gifts. He is also a big reader. Mahathir is known for being a hard worker.

He is known for focusing on details and making quick decisions. His childhood home in Alor Setar is now open to the public. It shows items from his early life, like photos and medical tools.

Mahathir and Siti Hasmah with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and his partner Honeylet Avanceña, 7 March 2019

In September 2024, Mahathir shared a video of himself driving fast at the Sepang International Circuit.

Marriage and Family

Mahathir met his wife, Siti Hasmah, when they were both medical students. They married in August 1956. They had five children: Marina, Mirzan, Mokhzani, Melinda, and Mukhriz. They also adopted two more children, Maizura and Mazhar. In August 2021, Mahathir and Siti Hasmah celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary.

Health

Mahathir has had several health issues, including heart problems and lung infections. In 1989, he had bypass surgery. He insisted on having the surgery in Malaysia to show trust in local doctors. He has been hospitalized several times for chest infections and other issues. In 2022, he tested positive for COVID-19 and recovered. He continues to receive medical care for various infections.

Cultural Depictions

Oil painting of Mahathir by Indian art director Rajasekharan Parameswaran

Mahathir has been featured in many artworks and cultural tributes. In 1995, an art gallery showed portraits of him. In 2002, a new type of petunia flower was named "Mahathir flowers" to honor him.

In 2003, a photo exhibition called A Thousand Faces of Dr Mahathir was held. It showed memorable photos from his 22 years as prime minister. In 2008, a comic strip about his life was created.

This mural in Jalan Pekan Melayu, Alor Setar, features Mahathir alongside the Petronas Twin Towers and Proton Saga, symbolizing his legacy as Malaysia's 'Father of Modernisation'.

In 2010, a musical called Mahathir, the Musical was staged in Malaysia. It showed his journey from his early life to becoming prime minister. A sequel was made in 2011. In 2013, an actor played Mahathir in the film Tanda Putera.

In 2015, a mural of Mahathir was unveiled in Alor Setar. It shows him with the Petronas Twin Towers and the Proton Saga car, representing his role as the 'Father of Modernisation'. He also made a cameo appearance in the science fiction film Kapsul.

In 2016, an art exhibition called Era Mahathir featured works by Malaysian artists from his time as prime minister. A wax figure of Mahathir was also unveiled at Madame Tussauds in Bangkok, Thailand.

In 2018, Mahathir appeared as a cartoon character in an episode of Upin & Ipin. Lego figures of Mahathir and his wife were also created. An art exhibition called Tun M: A Forever Legacy showed nearly 100 artworks of Mahathir.

In 2018, an orchid hybrid was named “Dendrobium Mahathir Siti Hasmah” to honor him and his wife. In 2019, an exhibition called Tun M Custom Show featured custom figurines celebrating Mahathir.

In 2020, a monument dedicated to Mahathir was erected in the Bosnian capital Sarajevo.

In 2020, a monument dedicated to Mahathir was unveiled in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. It honors his help during Bosnia's difficult times.

Election Results

Honors and Awards

In August 2003, Russian President Vladimir Putin awarded Mahathir the Russian Order of Friendship

Mahathir has received many awards and honors from different countries. Some of these include:

• The Royal Family Order of Brunei (1997)
• The Order of Mubarak the Great (1997)
• Honorary Ph.D. degrees from universities like National University of Mongolia (1997) and Al-Azhar University (1998)
• The U Thant Peace Award from the United Nations Organization (1999)
• The Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland (2002)
• The Russian Order of Friendship (2003)
• The Japanese Order of the Paulownia Flowers (2018)
• The Order of Pakistan (2019)
• The Order of the Republic of Turkey (2019)

Key Dates in Mahathir's Life

• 1925: Born on 10 July in Alor Setar, Kedah.
• 1931: Started school at Seberang Perak Malay School.
• 1942–1945: His education was stopped during the Japanese occupation of Malaya. He sold food to help his family and joined political groups against the Malayan Union.
• 1947: Began studying medicine at King Edward VII College of Medicine in Singapore.
• 1953: Became a medical doctor.
• 1956: Married Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali.
• 1957: Opened his own medical clinic in Alor Setar.
• 1964: Won the Kota Setar Selatan seat in the general election.
• 1969: Lost his parliamentary seat and was removed from UMNO after criticizing the Prime Minister.
• 1970: Wrote The Malay Dilemma, which was banned for a time.
• 1972: Rejoined UMNO.
• 1974: Won the Kubang Pasu parliamentary seat and became Minister of Education.
• 1976: Appointed Deputy Prime Minister.
• 1981: Became Malaysia's fourth prime minister on 16 July.
• 1991: Introduced Vision 2020, a plan for Malaysia to become a developed nation by 2020.
• 1997: Led Malaysia through the Asian Financial Crisis using his own economic plans.
• 2003: Stepped down as Prime Minister on 31 October.
• 2016: Left UMNO due to disagreements with Najib Razak's leadership.
• 2016: Founded Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM).
• 2017: Became the leader of the opposition.
• 2018: Won the Langkawi parliamentary seat and became Malaysia's 7th prime minister on 9 May.
• 2019: Introduced the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030 for fair economic growth.
• 2020: Resigned as Prime Minister of Malaysia.

See also

• Mahathir, the Musical
• Mahathir Science Award
• List of oldest living state leaders