MAHATHIR MOHAMAD FAST FACTS | CNN
Born on July 10, 1925 (officially recorded as December 20, 1925) in Alor Setar, Kedah, Mahathir Mohamad is a prominent figure in Malaysian politics. He served as the prime minister of Malaysia from July 1981 to October 2003 and returned for a second term in 2018, becoming the oldest elected world leader at 92 years old. Mahathir is also known for his contributions to the field of medicine and is credited with turning Malaysia into a major trading and economic force in Southeast Asia.
EDUCATION AND EARLY CAREER
Mahathir pursued his medical education at the King Edward VII College of Medicine in Singapore, where he entered in 1947. After completing his studies, he became a physician, earning himself the nickname Dr. M. Despite a successful career in medicine, Mahathir transitioned into politics and became involved with the United Malays National Organization (UMNO) in 1946.
POLITICAL CAREER AND ACHIEVEMENTS
Over the years, Mahathir’s political career had its ups and downs. He was elected to Parliament for the first time in 1964, but faced setbacks, including losing his seat in Parliament and being expelled from UMNO in 1969. However, he made a comeback in 1972 by rejoining UMNO and was appointed as a Senator in the Malaysian parliament in 1973.
In 1981, Mahathir became Malaysia’s fourth prime minister, a position he held for over two decades. During his tenure, he implemented policies that helped transform Malaysia into a major player in the global economy. He also faced controversies, such as the dismissal of his deputy Anwar Ibrahim in 1998 and making controversial remarks about Jews at an Islamic summit in 2003.
RETURN TO POWER AND LATER YEARS
Despite retiring from politics in 2003, Mahathir made a surprising comeback in 2018 when he was named a candidate for prime minister, citing the need to address issues with the ruling party and the opposition’s failure to secure rural Malay votes. His coalition’s victory in the 2018 elections led to his swearing-in as prime minister for the second time at the age of 92.
However, his second term in office was not without challenges, as he faced criticism for his handling of various issues, including the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2022, Mahathir tested positive for Covid-19 and was hospitalized, and later in the year, he suffered a significant defeat in the parliamentary elections, marking his first electoral loss since 1969.
CONCLUSION
Throughout his long and eventful career, Mahathir Mohamad has left an indelible mark on Malaysian politics and society. His contributions to the country’s development and international standing are undeniable, and his legacy will continue to be a subject of debate and reflection for years to come.
For more information on Mahathir Mohamad’s life and career, you can visit CNN’s comprehensive coverage and analysis of his fast facts and political journey.
References:
– CNN – Mahathir Mohamad Fast Facts: [https://www.cnn.com/mahathir-mohamad-fast-facts]()
– CNN – Mahathir Mohamad biography: [https://www.cnn.com/mahathir-mohamad-biography]()
