Mahathir

Mahathir Mohamad (born 10 June 1925) is a Malaysian physician and politician who served as the Prime Minister of Malaysia for two non-consecutive terms: from 1981 to 2003 and from 2018 to 2020. He is one of the country's most influential and controversial political figures.

Born in Alor Setar, Kedah, Mahathir trained as a medical doctor at the King Edward VII College of Medicine in Singapore and practiced before entering politics. He joined the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) and held a series of government roles, including Minister of Education from 1974 to 1981.

During his first tenure as prime minister, Malaysia underwent rapid modernization and industrialization. His government promoted privatization, launched the national car project Proton, and advanced economic development through policies such as Look East and Vision 2020. He also oversaw major infrastructure projects and the growth of the multimedia sector. His administration faced accusations of centralized power and restrictions on press freedom, and his regime confronted the 1987 constitutional crisis and, in 1998, the dismissal of deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim amid civil unrest during the Asian financial crisis.

After leaving office in 2003, Mahathir remained active in politics and allied at times with different parties. In 2018, he re-emerged as a leading figure of the Pakatan Harapan coalition and became prime minister again, campaigning on anti-corruption and reform. His second term ended in 2020 after a political realignment that saw him resign and support a new government led by Muhyiddin Yassin.

Mahathir's legacy is debated: supporters credit him with modernizing Malaysia and elevating its regional role, while critics point to authoritarian tendencies and allegations of political suppression.