Mahathir bin Mohamad (; ; born 10 July 1925) is a Malaysian politician, physician and author who served as the fourth and seventh prime minister of Malaysia from 1981 to 2003 and again from 2018 to 2020. He was the country's longest-serving prime minister, serving for a cumulative total of 24 years. His political career has spanned more than 75 years, from joining protests opposing citizenship policies for non-Malays in the Malayan Union in the 1940s to forming the Gerakan Tanah Air coalition in 2022. During his premiership, Mahathir was granted the title "Father of Modernisation" () for his pivotal role in transforming the country's economy and infrastructure. At 100 years old, he is the second-oldest living former state leader in the world and the first Malaysian prime minister to reach that age.
<!--Early life, Early political career, Rise to prominence-->Born and raised in Alor Setar, Kedah, Mahathir excelled at school and became a physician. He became active in UMNO before entering the parliament of Malaysia in 1964 as the Member of Parliament for Kota Setar Selatan, serving until he lost his seat in 1969, subsequently falling out with Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman and being expelled from UMNO. In 1970, he released the book The Malay Dilemma. When Tunku resigned, Mahathir re-entered UMNO and parliament through Kubang Pasu constituency, and was promoted to Minister of Education from 1974 to 1978 and Minister of Trade and Industry from 1978 to 1981. He became deputy prime minister in 1976 before being sworn in as prime minister in 1981.
<!--First term-->During Mahathir's first tenure from 1981 to 2003, Malaysia experienced significant economic growth and modernisation, with his government promoting industry-wide privatisation and initiating major infrastructure projects, such as the North–South Expressway and the Kuala Lumpur City Centre. His policies were credited with transforming Malaysia into one of Southeast Asia's most dynamic emerging economies. He was a dominant political figure, securing five consecutive general election victories and maintaining leadership of the UMNO despite internal challenges. Mahathir continued pro-bumiputera policies and oversaw Malaysia's relatively swift recovery from the 1997 Asian financial crisis, aided by capital controls and stimulus measures that diverged from IMF prescriptions. As prime minister, he was a strong proponent of Asian values and alternative development models, and he played a prominent role in the Muslim world.
In 1987, he ordered the detention of numerous activists under Operation Lalang, and his administration was involved in the 1988 Malaysian constitutional crisis, which raised concerns about judicial independence. He supported a constitutional amendment that stripped the royalty of criminal immunity, a move widely regarded as a legal reform strengthening the rule of law. In 1998, the dismissal of deputy Anwar Ibrahim sparked the Reformasi and became a major point of political debate in Malaysia. Critics accused Mahathir of authoritarianism for centralising power and suppressing dissent, while supporters argued that his actions were necessary to preserve national stability.
<!--Interim years, Return to politics, Second premiership, Post-premiership-->Mahathir resigned in 2003 after 22 years in office, but remained politically influential and was critical of his successors. He quit UMNO over the 1MDB corruption scandal in 2016, joining BERSATU and leading the Pakatan Harapan opposition coalition to victory in the 2018 general election. During a second tenure as prime minister, he pledged to investigate the 1MDB scandal, combat corruption, and cut spending on large infrastructure projects. He also secured the pardon and release of Anwar Ibrahim. Mahathir resigned in 2020 amidst a political crisis. Despite losing his parliamentary seat in the 2022 general election, he remained active in politics and shifted party affiliation several times. In 2019, Time magazine listed him as one of the world's 100 most influential people. Mahathir's political views have shifted during his life, and are shaped by his Malay nationalism and Islamic religious beliefs.
Early life and education
thumb|150px|Mahathir's father as headmaster of [[Kolej Sultan Abdul Hamid|Sultan Abdul Hamid College. was born in 1881 and died in 1961]]
Mahathir was born at his parents' home in a poor neighbourhood at Lorong Kilang Ais, Alor Setar, in the capital of the Malay sultanate of Kedah under a British protectorate, on 10 July 1925.
Not long after assuming office, Mahathir visited Singapore in December 1981 as part of a delegation to meet with Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. Among various bilateral discussions, the two leaders agreed to implement a coordinated time adjustment. This led to the passing of the Malaysian Standard Time Act (1981), initiated by Mahathir. Later, Lee paid a return visit to Malaysia in August 1982. In the early days of his tenure, Mahathir improved relations with Singapore, not only strengthening bilateral ties but also gaining the support of the Malaysian Chinese community.
During his time, Singapore's requests to Malaysia to move its railway immigration checkpoint away from Tanjong Pagar and disputes over water payments were major disagreements between the two countries. The Points of Agreement of 1990 set out the terms for developing land for a Rapid Transit System, although disputes still continued throughout the following decade. Mahathir and Singaporean counterparts also oversaw a dispute over the ownership of Pedra Branca, several islets between the two countries, with an agreed exchange of documents to settle ownership of the islets in 1981 being delayed until at least 1992. The 1997 Asian financial crisis further escalated tensions, with Singapore offering high interest rates for ringgit deposits leading to cash flow issues in Malaysia.
On Lee Kuan Yew's death in March 2015, Mahathir wrote an entry on his blog, expressing grief at the news. Although he often disagreed with Lee, Mahathir wrote that he bore him no enmity for the differences of opinion on the direction of Singapore's development, and that ASEAN had lost the strong leadership of both Lee and Suharto of Indonesia, who had died in 2008. Some analysts observed that with Lee's death, Mahathir was the last of the "Old Guard" of Southeast Asia. On the anniversary of Lee's death, Mahathir told the media that Singaporeans must recognise Lee's contributions towards industrialising Singapore. He said that he does not view Lee "as an enemy and all that, but as a Singapore leader who had his own stand that was not the same with the stand of Malaysia".
Myanmar
In 1997, Mahathir strongly supported Myanmar's inclusion into ASEAN, stating that "we are going to work very hard to get Burma into ASEAN" despite international criticism and American sanctions against the military regime. Mahathir presided as ASEAN chair over Myanmar's admission, playing a key role in ensuring its membership.
However, by 2003, Mahathir's stance toward Myanmar had shifted significantly, particularly following the prolonged detention of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. In an interview, he openly stated that if Myanmar's military government continued to refuse Suu Kyi's release, ASEAN might have to consider expelling the country. This marked the first time an ASEAN leader had raised the possibility of Myanmar's expulsion, drawing considerable international attention. Malaysia played a crucial role in supporting South Africa's transition to democracy, particularly in its preparations for the historic 1994 election that saw Mandela elected as the country's first black president. During a meeting held at a Zambian government guest house, Mahathir presented Mandela with a silver keris, a symbol of Malaysia's constitutional monarchy system of government.
Mandela visited Malaysia thrice during Mahathir's tenure as prime minister, first in 1990, second in 1993 and again in 1997. During his third visit, Mahathir hosted a private dinner for the South African president in Langkawi. The close relationship between the two leaders also benefited Malaysian businesses, granting them a "most favoured" status for securing contracts and business opportunities in South Africa. During Mandela's visit, Mahathir further strengthened this partnership with him by jointly launching the Malaysia-South Africa Business Council (MSABC) in Kuala Lumpur. The strong bilateral relations also led to significant progress in political and economic cooperation, with key agreements signed in trade, air services, and shipping. Additionally, Malaysia supported South Africa's development through scholarships for South African students and collaboration in science and technology. In the same year as Mandela's passing, Mahathir expressed his deep sorrow, calling Mandela a great leader who dedicated his life to social justice. He admired Mandela's magnanimity, noting that despite years of imprisonment, he focused on reconciliation and sharing opportunities between blacks and whites.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
thumb|200x200px|In 2020, a monument dedicated to Mahathir was erected in the [[Bosnia and Herzegovina|Bosnian capital Sarajevo.]]
Mahathir was a prominent international advocate for Bosniaks in Bosnia and Herzegovina during his tenure. His government permitted Bosnians to come to Malaysia without a visa during the Bosnian War. He was influential in the establishment of an OIC summit in Karachi in 1993 to discuss the need for weapons for Bosnia during the War.
Pan-Asia rail link plan
Mahathir revived the plan for a "pan-Asian" railway network in 1995, an idea with roots in the early 1900s and later resurfaced in a 1960 UN proposal for a trans-Asian railway spanning 118,000 kilometres. In the post-Cold War era, as regional development cooperation gained momentum in East Asia, Mahathir proposed the construction of the Trans-Asian Railway linking Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and other countries in the central and southern peninsula to China. This was an early example of ASEAN's approach to regional connectivity through infrastructure cooperation. At the time, there were concerns that minerals could be exploited in Antarctica, and the media regarded Mahathir's stance as the only political challenge ever mounted to the Antarctic Treaty in decades. In 1984, Mahathir stated that while the Antarctic Treaty system had contributed positively, there was a need to establish a broader foundation for international cooperation in Antarctica, and he proposed the formation of a "special committee on Antarctica" to conduct an in-depth study and build consensus on a new administrative framework for the continent and the mechanisms required to achieve it. Later, in October 1999, Malaysia sent four scientists to Antarctica to conduct research, focusing on air pollution as part of Universiti Malaya's air pollution research unit. Then, in November 2001, Malaysia launched a second mission, sending two scientists from Universiti Malaya to conduct research on marine and biological sciences. They travelled from Ushuaia, Argentina, aboard the Russian icebreaker Kapitan Dranitsyn. Under Mahathir's leadership, Malaysia was transformed into an industrialising nation. He pledged to leave politics "completely", rejecting an emeritus role in Abdullah's cabinet. Abdullah immediately made his mark as a quieter and less adversarial premier. With stronger religious credentials than Mahathir, he beat back PAS's surge in the 1999 election and lead the Barisan Nasional in the 2004 election to its biggest win ever, taking 199 of 219 parliamentary seats. On 23 October, Mingguan Malaysia, a Sunday edition of Utusan Malaysia, published an exclusive interview with Mahathir, marking his first since retiring as prime minister.
After retiring, Mahathir maintained a busy schedule, engaging in various activities and speaking engagements both locally and internationally. In 2005, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited him at his private residence, where they held a four-hour meeting discussing Malaysia's economic transformation and development strategies. He emphasized the importance of staying active, stating, "Never retire. You have to work. When you work, it will keep you alive."
Mahathir was the CEO and chairman, and hence a senior adviser, for many flagship Malaysian companies such as Proton, Perdana Leadership Foundation and Malaysia's government-owned oil and gas company Petronas. He did not receive any remuneration for his advisory positions. He was also made Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP) Chancellor in 2004, succeeding Raja Mohar Raja Badiozaman. On 15 June of the same year, Mahathir was appointed chairman of the NAM Business Council International Advisory Panel. In 2006, Mahathir co-founded The Loaf bakery with Motoko Resources Sdn Bhd, opening its first store in Telaga Harbour, Langkawi, before expanding to 12 outlets in locations such as KLCC, Pavilion, Sogo, and Empire Shopping Gallery. He also served as The Loaf's chairman.
Despite his business ventures, Mahathir remained an influential figure, and his views on national matters continued to draw attention. Mahathir and Abdullah had a major fallout over Proton in 2005. While Abdullah was attempting to reform the company and implemented high import tariffs on foreign cars, Mahathir accused Abdullah's government of cronyism in relation to import licences. Proton's chief executive, a Mahathir ally, had been sacked by the company's board. With Abdullah's blessing, Proton then sold one of its prise assets, the motorcycle company MV Agusta, which was bought on Mahathir's advice.
Mahathir criticised the awarding of import permits for foreign cars, which he claimed were causing Proton's domestic sales to suffer, and attacked Abdullah for cancelling the construction of a second causeway between Malaysia and Singapore.
Mahathir complained that his views were not getting sufficient airing by the Malaysian press. In response, he began writing a column for Malaysiakini and starting his own blog. He unsuccessfully sought election from his local party division to be a delegate to UMNO's general assembly in 2006, where he planned to initiate a challenge to Abdullah's leadership. Mahathir had previously missed the UMNO General Assembly twice since 2006 for health reasons. After the 2008 election, in which UMNO lost its two-thirds majority in parliament, Mahathir resigned from the party. When Abdullah was replaced by his deputy Najib Razak in 2009, Mahathir re-joined the party and urged all former members to follow his move. Before the 2013 general election, Mahathir promised to keep the government in check and ensure it fulfilled its manifesto promises, vowing to protest and fight against it if it failed.
thumb|Mahathir met with Azerbaijani President [[Ilham Aliyev in Baku, 2 March 2012]]
Mahathir established the Kuala Lumpur Initiative to Criminalise War Forum in an effort to end war globally, as well as the Kuala Lumpur War Crimes Commission to investigate the activities of the United States, Israel and its allies in Iraq, Lebanon and the Palestinian territories. In March 2015, Mahathir attended a conference where he stated his belief in a "New World Order", where an elite would attempt rule the planet in a single world government, and exterminate billions of humans.
Return to politics (2015–2018)
thumb|On 18 March 2015, Mahathir and Japanese Ambassador Makio Miyagawa attended the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA'15)
By 2015, even at 90 years old, Mahathir remained sharp and combative. He repeatedly called for prime minister Najib Razak to resign over the 1Malaysia Development Berhad scandal (1MDB). On 30 August 2015, he and Siti Hasmah attended the Bersih 4 rally, a mass protest organised in response to the scandal. In 2016, Mahathir chaired the Malaysian Citizens' Declaration, which brought together several political figures and non-governmental organisations in calling for Najib's resignation. In this declaration, Mahathir listed 37 points. Later, the Citizens' Declaration reached one million signatures in May of the same year. In the 2016 Sungai Besar by-election, he supported Amanah and other Pakatan Harapan leaders, lending his influence to the opposition coalition.
Mahathir left UMNO in 2016, and formed Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (BERSATU). The new party was officially registered on 9 September 2016, and Mahathir became its chairman. By 2017, he had officially joined the opposition coalition Pakatan Harapan. Negotiations then took place between different factions of the coalition for Mahathir to become the chairman and prime ministerial candidate. He assumed the position of chairman on 14 July 2017, despite reservations from supporters of Anwar Ibrahim, who could not contest in polls himself while imprisoned.
In 2016, Mahathir had his police outriders withdrawn after his privileges were revoked due to his participation in anti-government events. A year later, in 2017, the government further withdrew his personal bodyguard service provided by the police Special Action Unit (UTK), following the earlier termination of his cook and office assistant's contracts. This decision by the government also drew criticism from various parties. However, Inspector-General of Police Mohamad Fuzi Harun denied this, stating that only ordinary police officers had been recalled, while Mahathir's bodyguard service from the elite UTK remained intact. The Prime Minister's Department also refuted this claim, stating that it was still paying for 21 staff at Mahathir's home and office.
In early 2018, Mahathir was announced as Pakatan Harapan's prime ministerial candidate for the upcoming general election. Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, wife of his former political enemy Anwar, ran as his deputy. Mahathir's election promise was to seek a pardon for Anwar, in order to allow him to take over as prime minister after an interim period.
Second term as prime minister (2018–2020)
thumb|Mahathir meets with [[United States Secretary of State|US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in August 2018]]
thumb|Mahathir and Philippine president [[Rodrigo Duterte, 7 March 2019]]
Pakatan Harapan defeated Barisan Nasional in the 2018 general election. Concerns for a smooth power transition emerged as Najib declared that no party had achieved a majority. The National Palace of Malaysia subsequently confirmed Mahathir would be sworn in as Malaysia's seventh prime minister, refuting any claims of delaying the appointment. Immediately after the declaration of the results, people in Kuala Lumpur expressed their joy in celebration of the historic victory. Mahathir announced a two-day public holiday, adding: 'But there will be no holidays for the winners.'
He became the world's oldest serving state leader (aged at the time), and the first Malaysian prime minister not to represent UMNO. Mahathir was also officially recognized by Guinness World Records as the world's oldest serving prime minister. His deputy, Wan Azizah Wan Ismail became the first female deputy prime minister of Malaysia.
In April 2019, Mahathir was listed among Time magazine's 100 most influential people.
Domestic affairs
Mahathir had promised to "restore the rule of law", and reopen investigations into the 1Malaysia Development Berhad scandal, telling the press that Najib would face consequences if found guilty of corruption. Mahathir instructed the Department of Immigration to bar Najib and his wife, the notoriously extravagant Rosmah Mansor, from leaving the country after they attempted to fly to Indonesia.
Mahathir formed his cabinet of 29 ministers in June 2018. He abolished the unpopular Goods and Services Tax, reducing it from six to zero per cent. Mahathir implemented a "no gifts policy," stating that he would only accept food, flowers, and fruits, while prohibiting government officials from receiving any other gifts to prevent corruption.
He also vowed to cut fiscal spending by firing thousands of civil servants, cancelling an expensive Kuala Lumpur–Singapore high-speed rail link and cutting back on large infrastructure projects initiated under Najib. Malaysia's freedom of the press improved slightly under Mahathir's tenure, and the country's rank rose in the Press Freedom Index. The government announced palm oil cultivation would be limited to 6.55 million hectares by 2023, and began a lobbying campaign to improve palm oil's reputation abroad.
On 20 June 2018, Mahathir met the father of murdered Mongolian woman Altantuya Shaariibuu and agreed that the case of her murder should be reopened.
A year into his term, Mahathir's approval ratings had fallen as the economy slowed and several planned reforms, such as abolishing capital punishment and the Sedition Act 1948, were not realised amid divisions in the coalition. Mahathir announced the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030 in October 2019, which set out for Malaysia to become a high income country by 2030. Another priority of his administration was a more transparent approach to defence. The government prepared the country's first defence policy white paper outlining long-term plans for the country.
Foreign relations
[[File:List of international prime ministerial trips made by Mahathir Mohamad during his second term.svg|center|thumb|600x600px|World map highlighting countries visited by Mahathir during his second premiership.
]]
Early in his second tenure, Mahathir visited Japan and Indonesia to reaffirm good relations, and reignited a water dispute with Singapore. By the end of 2018, several disputes over maritime and airspace borders with Singapore had continued. Mahathir met twice with president Rodrigo Duterte in his first year in office to strengthen cooperation with the Philippines on a broad range of security, economic and political issues. Mahathir again prioritised relations with Japan and strengthened economic and defence ties with Russia. He visited Vladivostok for a meeting of the Eastern Economic Forum in late 2019, where he cast doubt on the Joint Investigation Team's findings related to the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17. Malaysia launched a foreign policy framework in late 2019. In response to European Union regulations phasing out palm-oil based biofuels, Mahathir discussed bringing a formal complaint to the World Trade Organization or a case to the European Court of Justice with Indonesian president Joko Widodo.
Mahathir condemned the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in October 2018 and the assassination of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani by the United States in 2020.
Mahathir was supportive of the 2018–19 Korean peace process. He also indicated that Malaysia would re-open its embassy in North Korea, which had remained closed since the 2017 assassination of Kim Jong-nam.
thumb|[[President of Indonesia|Indonesian President Joko Widodo receiving Mahathir at Bogor Palace, 29 June 2018]]
thumb|On 31 May 2019, Mahathir held a summit meeting with Japanese Prime Minister [[Shinzo Abe]]
China
Mahathir's administration committed to retaining good relations with China, Mahathir cancelled approximately $2.8 billion worth of deals with China Petroleum Pipeline Bureau altogether, citing high repayment costs.
On 13 February 2020, Mahathir spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping to express solidarity and discuss cooperation in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Prior to this, Mahathir had expressed his hopes that 2020, the 'Year of Culture and Tourism' between Malaysia and China, would further strengthen the ties and friendship between the two nations.
2020 political crisis and resignation
By late 2019, disagreements emerged within Pakatan Harapan about Mahathir's planned handover of power to Anwar Ibrahim, eventually culminating in a political crisis in 2020. Mahathir and a faction of the coalition felt that Anwar would be unable to command a parliamentary majority. MPs supporting Anwar demanded a timeframe for Mahathir's resignation and handover of power. Anwar told the media that he had been "betrayed". Anwar and Mahathir met to clarify the situation, where Mahathir insisted he had no involvement in a new government.
Mahathir, refusing to work with UMNO leaders, submitted his resignation to the Agong, Abdullah of Pahang, on 24 February 2020. The Agong appointed him interim prime minister until a replacement could be agreed. BERSATU President Muhyiddin Yassin declared the party's withdrawal from Pakatan Harapan; Mahathir also resigned from the party in response. During his interim premiership, he introduced the 2020 Economic Stimulus Package to counter the economic impact of COVID-19,
On 29 February, the Agong appointed Muhyiddin prime minister, determining that he was most likely to be able to hold the support of a majority in parliament. Mahathir unsuccessfully attempted to challenge this with the Agong, but eventually left the prime minister's office an hour before Muhyiddin was sworn in.
Post-second term premiership (2020–present)
thumb|Chief Adviser of the interim Government of Bangladesh, Nobel laureate [[Muhammad Yunus with Mahathir Mohamad in May 2025.]]
Despite his advanced age and having stepped down as prime minister, Mahathir remains active on the international stage, frequently travelling, delivering speeches, and continuing to voice his views and influence both domestically and globally. Shortly after Malaysia entered its first movement control order in March 2020, Mahathir underwent self-quarantine at home after having close contact with Bandar Kuching MP Kelvin Yii Lee Wuen, who later tested positive for COVID-19. He formed the Homeland Fighter's Party (PEJUANG) in August 2020. Four other MPs joined the new party, including Mahathir's son Mukhriz. The party was registered in July 2021. In August 2021, Mahathir and other MPs protested in Merdeka Square, calling for Muhyiddin's resignation over the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, after being blocked from entering parliament by police.
In April 2022, UMNO president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi filed a defamation lawsuit against Mahathir. In June 2022, Mahathir made irrendentist comments by stating that Singapore and the Riau Islands of Indonesia was once owned by Johor, and argued the state should claim them as part of Malaysia.
In September 2022, Mahathir said he was open to becoming the prime minister for a third time if there were no other suitable candidates. Having previously said he would not defend his Langkawi parliamentary seat, he announced he would contest the 2022 general election. In the election on 19 November, Mahathir lost his seat and election deposit, marking his first defeat in 53 years. No candidate from PEJUANG or Gerakan Tanah Air secured a seat. He later said that his party's plans "had to be dropped" and he would shift his focus to writing about Malaysian history.
In February 2023, Mahathir and 13 other members of PEJUANG (leaving his own son as the sole leader of that party) left the party and joined Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia (Putra). Later in 2023, Mahathir began promoting a "Malay Proclamation", aimed at uniting Malays. He met with PAS and PN leaders to garner support for the 12-point document listing political, economic and social issues. Mahathir was questioned by police over this campaign under the Malaysian Penal Code, for carrying out "activities that undermine parliamentary democracy". Mahathir also left GTA, criticising the coalition for its poor performance in the election. He supported Perikatan Nasional, the coalition that had ousted him in 2020, in six state elections and was named its "unofficial adviser" for the four state governments under its control.
On 31 August 2024, Mahathir attended the Merdeka Day celebration in Putrajaya in his personal capacity, as he was not officially invited by the government. His presence at the event, where he was warmly received by the crowd, sparked public debate. Prominent academic Chandra Muzaffar criticised the government's decision, describing it as a breach of Malaysian etiquette and values, particularly given Mahathir's status as the country's longest-serving prime minister. He stated that the exclusion contradicted the principles of the Rukun Negara, which emphasised courtesy and morality, and called for a clear explanation from the government.
thumb|In April 2025, Mahathir, accompanied by his son Mukhriz, his daughter [[Marina Mahathir|Marina, and a group of others, arrived at the National Mosque to attend the state funeral of his successor, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi]]
In February 2025, Mahathir's official Facebook account confirmed that his X account (@chedetofficial) had been hacked, resulting in a post promoting cryptocurrency, and efforts were underway to recover it. In April 2025, following the Putra Heights pipeline fire in Subang Jaya, Mahathir visited the Incident Control Post and urged the public not to make premature accusations before the investigation was completed. Shortly thereafter, he also attended the state funeral of former Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. In an interview in May 2025, he criticised Donald Trump's tariff policies and described him as "living in an old world" over his foreign policy.
On 10 July 2025, Mahathir reached the age of 100, making him one of the few world leaders to become a centenarian. The occasion was widely reported by local and international media, and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, among others, extended birthday wishes. He was discharged the same day.
On 26 July 2025, Mahathir participated in the Turun Anwar rally at Dataran Merdeka, joining several opposition leaders in calling for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's resignation. Prior to that, at a rally in Alor Setar, he had similarly urged Anwar to step down, citing mismanagement of national wealth and poor governance.
In December 2025, Mahathir lodged a police report accusing Anwar of economic sabotage and undermining Malaysia’s sovereignty over the Malaysia–United States Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART), an agreement that later sparked public controversy over provisions seen by critics as obliging Malaysia to align with US sanctions, compromise regulatory autonomy, and weaken the country’s long-standing policy of non-alignment.
In early January 2026, Mahathir was admitted to the National Heart Institute (IJN) for observation after he fell at his residence and was taken to hospital by ambulance. Hospital officials later confirmed that he had sustained a fracture to his right hip and remained in stable condition while receiving treatment. According to his son, Mukhriz Mahathir, medical specialists advised that he was not suitable for hip replacement surgery due to age-related risks, and that a non-surgical recovery approach would be adopted. Mahathir’s hospitalisation attracted significant domestic and international attention, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan conveying his concern and well wishes during a meeting with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim while the latter was on an official visit to Türkiye.
Political positions and views
thumb|Mahathir speaking about "The Future of Democracy in Asia" in [[Chatham House, United Kingdom in 2018]]
Mahathir's political views have shifted during his lengthy career. During the 1980s and 1990s, he was a supporter of third-worldism, while during other periods he has been a proponent of "Asian values" and globalisation. In 2002, he characterised himself as an Islamic fundamentalist. Mahathir is generally respected in developing and Islamic countries,
Mahathir has been described as a proponent of Malay nationalism. Upon his first resignation, he expressed his disappointment at the progress made towards his "principle task" of supporting the Malay race. He has been described as anti-royalist by Libération, owing to his efforts to oppose immunity for members of Malaysia's monarchies.
Mahathir is a vocal critic of neoliberalism Mahathir condemned the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1997, suggesting it be revised to place greater importance on economic growth over civil liberties. In 2019, Mahathir said that Malaysians should learn from the hard work of China's citizens, which enabled their nation to achieve technological advancement within a few decades. In 2025, he said that China would overtake the United States and remain the world's top power in the long term, while downplaying India's potential to compete with China on a global scale.
Mahathir has advocated for a balance between environmental protection and natural resource use for economic growth in developing countries. He referred to the outcomes of the Earth Summit as "eco-imperialism", arguing that Global North countries put an undue burden on Global South countries for environmental degradation. In response to international scrutiny, he said in 2019 that linking palm oil production to deforestation was "baseless, unfair and unjustified" and that the Malaysian palm oil sector had developed sustainably. Mahathir was criticised for stoking tensions and hatred by the former Australian ambassador to France Brendan Berne, Australian prime minister Scott Morrison, and French secretary of state for digital affairs Cédric O. Malaysian cleric and politician Fathul Bari Mat Jahya also condemned Mahathir's remarks. Mahathir responded that his comments were taken out of context and he was not "promoting massacre of the French". Facebook and Twitter later removed his posts.
Personal life
Mahathir follows a disciplined lifestyle. He attributes his longevity and health to self-discipline, a controlled diet, regular reading to keep his mind active, and avoiding overeating, which he believes leads to obesity and related diseases. He has consistently maintained his weight at 62 kg for many years. His hobbies include sailing, horse riding, and carpentry, and he has built a functioning steam train and a boat.
thumb|Mahathir and Siti Hasmah with Indonesian President [[Joko Widodo and his wife Iriana, 29 June 2018]]
Mahathir met his wife, Siti Hasmah, during their medical studies, and they married in 1956. They have four biological children—Marina, Mirzan, Mokhzani, and Mukhriz—and later adopted three more—Melinda, Maizura, and Mazhar. In 2021, they celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. His granddaughter, Ineza, has described him as a family-oriented man who enjoys spending time with his grandchildren.
Mahathir is widely known for his workaholic nature. Despite his demanding schedule, he enjoys simple pleasures such as cooking and driving his family to restaurants. He is also a fan of the song "My Way" and owns a stable of horses, most of which were gifted to him. His childhood home in Alor Setar, named Rumah Kelahiran Mahathir Mohamad, was restored and opened to the public in 1992, showcasing personal memorabilia from his early life.
Despite his longevity, Mahathir had experienced a range of health problems over the decades, some of them serious. These included heart conditions and chest infections that led to repeated hospitalisations and several surgical procedures, including two coronary artery bypass operations. He had also been a target of security threats during his political career and especially during his premiership, though none have caused him serious harm.
Mahathir neither drinks alcohol nor smokes. On 10 July 2025, he celebrated his 100th birthday by making a special live podcast at his office in Putrajaya. He described his centennial as being a "normal day". The occasion was marked by widespread public attention and official greetings, including from Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and other members of his unity government. Former Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong also extended his birthday wishes to Mahathir.
Cultural depictions
thumb|In 2015, a 30.48-metre-wide mural of Mahathir was painted in Jalan Pekan Melayu, Alor Setar, featuring him alongside the [[Petronas Towers|Petronas Twin Towers and Proton Saga, symbolising his legacy as Malaysia's 'Father of Modernisation'.]]
Election results
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em ; font-size:95%"
|+ Parliament of Malaysia
!|Year
!|Constituency
!colspan=2|Candidate
!|Votes
!|Pct
!colspan=2|Opponent(s)
!|Votes
!|Pct
!|Ballots cast
!|Majority
!|Turnout
|-
|1964
|rowspan=2|P008 Kota Star Selatan
| |
| (UMNO)
|align="right" |12,406
|60.22%
| |
| (PAS)
|align="right" |8,196
|39.78%
|21,440
|4,210
|82.8%
|-
|1969
| |
|Mahathir Mohamad (UMNO)
|align="right" |12,032
|48.03%
| |
|Yusof Rawa (PAS)
|align="right" |13,021
|51.97%
|25,679
|989
|78.6%
|-
|1974
|rowspan=5|P004 Kubang Pasu
| |
|Mahathir Mohamad (UMNO)
| colspan="9" style="background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center;"|Unopposed
|-
|1978
| |
|Mahathir Mohamad (UMNO)
|align="right" |18,198
|64.64%
| |
|Halim Arshat (PAS)
|align="right" |9,953
|35.36%
|29,014
|8,245
|78.36%
|-
|1982
| |
|Mahathir Mohamad (UMNO)
|align="right" |24,524
|73.67%
| |
|Yusof Rawa (PAS)
|align="right" |8,763
|26.33%
|34,340
|15,761
|78.79%
|-
|1986
| |
|Mahathir Mohamad (UMNO)
|align="right" |25,452
|71.48%
| |
|Azizan Ismail (PAS)
|align="right" |10,154
|28.52%
|36,409
|15,298
|74.21%
|-
|1990
| |
|Mahathir Mohamad (UMNO)
|align="right" |30,681
|78.07%
| |
|Sudin Wahab (S46)
|align="right" |8,619
|21.93%
|40,570
|22,062
|77.51%
|-
|1995
| rowspan=2|P006 Kubang Pasu
| |
|Mahathir Mohamad (UMNO)
|align="right" |24,495
|77.12%
| |
|Ahmad Mohd Alim (PAS)
|align="right" |7,269
|22.88%
|33,010
|17,226
|73.61%
|-
|1999
| |
|Mahathir Mohamad (UMNO)
|align="right" |22,399
|63.22%
| |
|Ahmad Subki Abd. Latif (PAS)
|align="right" |12,261
|34.61%
|36,106
|10,138
|78.62%
|-
| rowspan=2|2018
| rowspan=6|P004 Langkawi
| rowspan=2 |
| rowspan=2|Mahathir Mohamad (BERSATU)
| rowspan=2 align=right|18,954
| rowspan=2|54.90%
| |
|Nawawi Ahmad (UMNO)
|align="right" |10,061
|29.14%
| rowspan=2|35,250
| rowspan=2|8,893
| rowspan=2|80.87%
|-
| |
|Zubir Ahmad (PAS)
|align="right" |5,512
|15.96%
|-
| rowspan=4|2022
| rowspan=4 bgcolor=|
| rowspan=4|Mahathir Mohamad (PEJUANG)
| rowspan=4 align=right|4,566
| rowspan=4|9.62%
|bgcolor= |
|Mohd Suhaimi Abdullah (BERSATU)
|align=right|25,463
|53.63%
| rowspan=4|48,123
| rowspan=4|13,518
| rowspan=4|71.10%
|-
| |
|Armishah Siradj (UMNO)
|align=right|11,945
|25.16%
|-
| |
|Zabidi Yahya (AMANAH)
|align=right|5,417
|11.41%
|-
| |
|Abd Kadir Sainudin (IND)
|align=right|89
|align=right|0.19%
|}
Honours, awards and recognitions
thumb|In August 2003, [[President of Russia|Russian President Vladimir Putin awarded Mahathir the Russian Order of Friendship]]
Mahathir received numerous awards and recognitions, including the Royal Family Order of Brunei (1997), Order of Mubarak the Great (1997), Honorary Ph.D. in Humanities from the National University of Mongolia (1997), Honorary Ph.D. in literature from Al-Azhar University (1998), U Thant Peace Award from the United Nations Organization (1999), Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland (2002), Russian Order of Friendship (2003), Honorary Ph.D. from Tsinghua University (2004), Honorary Ph.D. from the University of Santo Tomas (2012), Honorary Ph.D. in Laws from the National University of Singapore (2018), Japanese Order of the Paulownia Flowers (2018), Honorary Ph.D. from Qatar University (2019), Honorary Ph.D. from the International University of Japan (2019), Nishan-e-Pakistan (2019), and the Order of the Republic of Turkey (2019).
Books
- The Malay Dilemma (1970)
- The Challenge (1986)
- Regionalism, Globalism, and Spheres of Influence: ASEAN and the Challenge of Change into the 21st century (1989)
- Mahathir, Great Malaysian Hero (1990)
- The Asia That Can Say No (1994)
- The Pacific Rim in the 21st century (1995)
- The Challenges of Turmoil (1998)
- The Way Forward (1998)
- A New Deal for Asia (1999)
- Islam & The Muslim Ummah (2001)
- Globalisation and the New Realities (2002)
- Reflections on Asia (2002)
- The Malaysian Currency Crisis: How and why it Happened (2003)
- Mahathir: 22 Years, 22 Voices (2003)
- Dr Mahathir Mohamad - Father of Sports Development (2003)
- Achieving True Globalisation (2004)
- Islam, Knowledge, and Other Affairs (2006)
- Principles of Public Administration: An Introduction (2007)
- Chedet.com Blog Merentasi Halangan (Bilingual) (2008)
- A Doctor in the House: The Memoirs of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (2011)
- Doktor Umum: Memoir Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad (2012)
- Blogging to Unblock (Book 2): A Citizen's Rights (2013)
- Dr. M: Apa Habaq Orang Muda? (2016)
- Capturing Hope: The Struggle Continues for a New Malaysia (2021)
- A Conversation with Tun Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad: A Legacy of Leadership and Vision (2025)
See also
- Mahathir, the Musical
- Mahathir Science Award
- History of Malaysia
- List of oldest living state leaders
Notes
References
Cited texts
- James Chin & Joern Dosch. Malaysia Post Mahathir: a decade of change?. Marshall Cavendish. 2016.
External links
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