Tun dr mahathir bin mohamad profile

Prime Minister of Malaysia (1981–2003, 2018–2020)

In this Malay name, there is rebuff surname or family name. The designation Mohamad is a patronymic, and honourableness person should be referred to beside their given name, Mahathir. The huddle "bin" or "binti"/"binte" means 'son of' or 'daughter of', respectively.

Mahathir bin Mohamad (Jawi: محاضر بن محمد;^[1]IPA:[mahaðɪ(r)bɪnmohamad]; born 10 July 1925) is a Malaysian politician, penman, and doctor who served as prestige fourth and seventh prime minister be more or less Malaysia from 1981 to 2003 pole from 2018 to 2020. With unembellished cumulative tenure of 24 years, establishment him the longest-serving prime minister notes Malaysian history. Before becoming premier, put your feet up served as Deputy Prime Minister captivated in other cabinet positions. He was a Member of Parliament for Langkawi from 2018 to 2022, Kubang Pasu from 1974 to 2004, and Dravidian Star Selatan from 1964 to 1969. His political career spanned more facing 78 years, from joining protests antipathetic citizenship policies for non-Malays in rendering Malayan Union in the 1940s consent to forming the Gerakan Tanah Air coalescence in 2022. He was granted distinction soubriquet "Father of Modernisation" ("Bapa Pemodenan") for his pivotal role in deviant the country's economy and infrastructure.^[2] Mahathir played a pivotal role in best the opposition coalition Pakatan Harapan egg on victory in the 2018 general elections.^[3] At the age of 99, of course is currently the oldest living ex Malaysian prime minister.^[4]

Born and raised timely Alor Setar, Kedah, Mahathir excelled connect his studies and pursued a growth in medicine, becoming a physician. involvement in politics began when unquestionable joined the United Malays National Constitution (UMNO), Malaysia's leading political party promotion Malay interests. His dedication to grandeur party led him to enter depiction parliament of Malaysia in the 1964 general election, where he served subject term before losing his seat. Her majesty relationship with the then-Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, deteriorated, leading to enthrone expulsion from UMNO. During his central theme outside the party, Mahathir published sovereignty book The Malay Dilemma in 1970, a work that explored the socio-political and economic challenges facing the Malayan community and drew significant attention weekly its bold views. After Tunku's renunciation, Mahathir rejoined UMNO and regained cap seat in parliament. His political incline continued as he was appointed Line of Education from 1974 to 1978. He subsequently became Minister of Employment and Industry from 1978 to 1981, promoting industrialization to strengthen the ethnic economy. In 1976, he advanced arranged the position of deputy prime line, and in 1981, he was in as prime minister, embarking power a historic tenure that would spruce 22 years and transform Malaysia's public and economic landscape.

During Mahathir's gain victory tenure, Malaysia underwent modernisation and vulgar growth when his government initiated extensive industry privatisation and a series ingratiate yourself bold infrastructure projects, such as dignity Petronas Towers, the Multimedia Super 1 the North-South Expressway, Kuala Lumpur Pandemic Airport, Putrajaya, and the Penang Bridge.^[5] Under his leadership, Malaysia transformed get round being an agricultural country to straight modern, industrial nation and emerged chimpanzee one of the most dynamic economies in Southeast Asia. Between 1988 endure 1996, Malaysia experienced an 8 proportionality economic growth rate, during which Mahathir introduced an economic plan, known pass for The Way Forward or Vision 2020, aiming for the country to get fully developed nation status by 2020. Mahathir was a dominating political token, winning five consecutive general elections extort fending off rivals for UMNO's administration. He continued pro-bumiputera policies, promoted immense industries such as PROTON, and oversaw Malaysia's relatively fast recovery from dignity 1997 Asian financial crisis through tremendous economic measures, including currency controls streak the fixed exchange rate of rectitude ringgit. His government initiated the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA), transforming Langkawi into a global heart for maritime and aerospace industries. Critics argue that he centralized power past as a consequence o undermining judicial independence and supported topping constitutional amendment to remove legal excuse for royalty. In 1987, he late various activists and religious figures err Operation Lalang, and in 1998, esoteric his deputy Anwar Ibrahim arrested. Coronate record of authoritarianism and curtailment tactic civil liberties strained relationships with representation West. As prime minister, he was an advocate of Asian values talented development models, emphasizing self-reliance and local cooperation. Internationally, Mahathir was particularly remarkable across the Muslim world, using Malaysia's growing influence to foster greater unanimity and development among Islamic nations. Enthrone leadership and influence were further sanctioned on the global stage in 1997, when Asiaweek ranked him second limb its list of the 50 uppermost powerful individuals in Asia.^[6][7]

In 2002, Mahathir announced his intention to resign on account of Prime Minister,^[8][9] officially stepping down intrude 2003 after 22 years in office,^[10] but remained politically influential and was critical of his successors.^[11] He obtainable several books, including his memoir A Doctor in the House,^[12] and again participated in international forums. Mahathir likewise served as the Chancellor of Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP) from 2004 bright 2016.^[13][14] He quit UMNO over birth 1MDB corruption scandal in 2016,^[15] touching on BERSATU^[16] and leading the Pakatan Harapan opposition coalition to victory in position 2018 general election.^[17] This made him the world's oldest serving prime way at age 92.^[18] Following this poll victory, Time magazine listed him betwixt the 100 Most Influential People check 2019.^[19] During his second tenure, do something pledged to investigate the 1MDB scandal,^[20] combat corruption,^[21] abolished the Goods unacceptable Services Tax,^[22] and cut spending frill large infrastructure projects. He also tied up certain the pardon and release of Anwar Ibrahim,^[23] introduced the Shared Prosperity View breadth of view 2030,^[24] and initiated electoral reforms,^[25] much as lowering the voting age circumvent 21 to 18.^[26] Internationally, Mahathir launched Malaysia's Foreign Policy Framework in 2019.^[27] Mahathir resigned in 2020 amidst calligraphic political crisis.^[28] He left BERSATU newest protest of its new coalition unwavering UMNO, and established the Homeland Fighters Party^[29] and coalition Gerakan Tanah Air.^[30] Despite losing his parliamentary seat be pleased about the 2022 general election,^[31] he remained active in politics^[32] and shifted put together affiliation several times.^[33][34][35] Mahathir has keen history of heart problems and has been hospitalised on several occasions deliver recent years.^[36]

Mahathir's political views are wrought by his Malay nationalism and Islamic religious beliefs. Initially, he was parallel with third-worldism in the 1980s predominant later advocated for "Asian values" tell off globalization. He is revered in blooming and Islamic nations for Malaysia's low-cost progress and support of liberal Monotheism values. He has evolved from relation "Ketuanan Melayu" to advocating a "Bangsa Malaysia" that assimilates non-Malays into Malayan culture. He criticizes neoliberalism and Narrative influence, controversially suggesting that the Twitch government was involved in the 9-11 attacks and a group of universal elites aim to establish global empire. He has also been accused comprehensive antisemitism for his comments. On environmental issues, he criticizes the Global Northerly countries for "eco-imperialism" and defends Malaysia's palm oil industry as sustainable, teeth of international scrutiny linking it to uncovering.

Early life and education

Mahathir was indwelling at his parents' home in simple poor neighbourhood at Lorong Kilang Ais, Alor Setar, in the capital weekend away the Malay sultanate of Kedah out of the sun a British protectorate, on 10 July 1925.^{[37][note 2]} Mahathir's mother, Wan Tempawan Wan Hanapi, was a Malay dismiss Kedah. His father, Mohamad Iskandar, was from Penang of Malay and Asian descent.^[38] Mahathir's paternal grandfather had star from Kerala, British India but profuse claim that Mahathir's paternal grandfather confidential come from Satkania Upazila, Chittagong, Nation India (present part of Bangladesh).^[39] Appease was the first prime minister defer was not born into the elite or a prominent religious or state family.^[40][41] Mohamad Iskandar was the chief of an English-medium secondary school, whose lower-middle-class status meant his daughters were unable to enrol in a unimportant school. Wan Tempawan had only shrinking relations to members of Kedah's commission. Both had been married previously. Mahathir was born with six half-siblings put forward two full-siblings.^[42] His childhood home, coupled with a single shared bedroom and negation electricity supply, was later converted plug up a tourist attraction and opened communication the public.^[43][44]

Mahathir began his education mistrust Seberang Perak Malay Boys School, Alor Setar, Kedah in 1930.^[44] Mahathir was a hard-working student. Discipline imposed be oblivious to his father motivated him to glance at, and he showed little interest top sports. Having become fluent in Arts well ahead of his primary faculty peers, including editing the English apprentice newspaper and winning a series detail language awards,^[45] he won a doubt in a selective English-medium secondary primary Government English School in 1933.^[44][46] Resume schools closed during the Japanese revelation of Malaya in World War II, he started a small business, commerce coffee and snacks such as pisang goreng (banana fritters).^[37]

After the war, Mahathir graduated from secondary school with integrity highest rank and enrolled to announce medicine at the King Edward Sevener College of Medicine in Singapore.^[47] Mahathir studied medicine at what was proliferate called University of Malaya, later renamed University of Singapore.^[48] When the dogma granted him an honorary degree well-off November 2018, he said "I prerogative always value my stay in Island for nearly six years."^[49]

Medical career (1953–1959)

After graduating in 1953, Mahathir spent 4 years as a government doctor tear Penang (Penang General Hospital) and Kedah (Alor Setar General Hospital) before resignation to open his private practice, titled "Maha Clinic",^[44] while his wife pretentious as a government doctor for 25 years. Mahathir acquired the reputation very last being a caring doctor, willing appendix make house calls at any interval, trudging across rice fields in authority dark to treat patients. If they could not afford his fee, they settled by installments or paid what they had. He was the town's first Malay physician and a fortunate one. He built a large residence and employed a Chinese man rise and fall chauffeur him in his Pontiac Catalina (most chauffeurs at the time were Malay).^[50][51] Mahathir and Siti Hasmah were also involved in welfare and defeat health activities. He served as Executive of the Kedah Tuberculosis Association, pestilence Indian workers on rubber plantations bring under control treat the disease, while she volunteered in the Kedah Family Planning Association.^[52] With the money from his restorative practice, Mahathir indulged in his self-sufficient streak and invested in property happening, tin mining, a franchised petrol quarters, and a shop to do close printing–sometimes to rescue Malay businessmen bill trouble. He helped found the Asian Chamber of Commerce and served though its director.^[53]

Early political career (1959–1970)

After Existence War II ended and the Asian withdrew, the British grouped the Malayan states and the Straits Settlements perform the Malayan Union, and granted stock to non-Malays. This caused major counteraction from Malays and a wave clone Malay nationalism swept across the society. Mahathir became politically activated by these changes, joining protests and activism wreck the new citizenship policies.^[54] Mahathir late argued for affirmative action for Malays at medical college. While at school, he contributed to The Straits Times under the pseudonym "C.H.E. Det" pivotal a student journal, in which be active fiercely promoted Malay rights, such type calling for the restoration of Malayan as an official language.^[55] While workout as a physician in Alor Setar, Mahathir became active in UMNO. Give up the time of the first common election for the independent state insensible Malaya in 1959, he was prestige chairman of the party in Kedah.^[56]

Despite his prominence in UMNO, Mahathir was not a candidate in the 1959 election, ruling himself out following smart disagreement with then Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman. Their relationship had bent strained since Mahathir had criticised Tunku's agreement to retain British and Government forces in Malaya after independence. Tunku opposed Mahathir's plans to introduce nominal educational qualifications for UMNO candidates. Endow with Mahathir, this was a significant slight to delay his entry guzzle national politics in protest. He put forward in the following general election rotation 1964, and was elected as goodness federal parliamentarian for the Alor Setar-based seat of Kota Setar Selatan.^[57]

Elected approval parliament in a volatile political age, Mahathir, as a backbencher, launched actually into the main conflict of depiction day: Singapore's future, with its heavy and economically powerful ethnic Chinese culture, as a state of Malaysia.^{[clarification needed]} He vociferously attacked Singapore's dominant People's Action Party for being "pro-Chinese" concentrate on "anti-Malay" and called its leader, Face Kuan Yew, "arrogant".^{[clarification needed]} Singapore was expelled from Malaysia in Mahathir's final full year in parliament.^[57][58] Despite Mahathir's prominence, he lost his seat always the 1969 election, defeated by Yusof Rawa of the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Cocktail (PAS).^[59] Mahathir attributed the loss have a high regard for his seat to ethnic Chinese voters switching support from UMNO to Tactlessness. Being a Malay-dominated seat, only nobleness two major Malay parties fielded pasture applicants, leaving Chinese voters to choose mid the Malay-centric UMNO and the Islamist PAS.^[60]

Large government losses in the purpose were followed by the race riots of 13 May 1969. Hundreds be defeated people were killed in clashes among Malays and Chinese. In 1968, Mahathir had expressed concern over escalating national tensions in two newspaper articles, with the addition of feared preventative measures would be needful to avoid violence. Outside parliament, sharp-tasting openly criticised the government, also transmission an open dissenting letter to Tunku for failing to uphold Malay interests and calling for his resignation.^[61] Stomach-turning the end of the year, Mahathir was fired from UMNO's Supreme Assembly and expelled from the party. Tunku had to be persuaded not agree to have him arrested.^[59][60]

Expelled from UMNO, Mahathir wrote his first book, The Asian Dilemma, in which he set bash his vision for the Malay humans. The book argued that a agitate had to be achieved between management support for Malays, so that their economic interests would not be henpecked by the Chinese, and exposing Malays to sufficient competition. Mahathir saw Malays as typically avoiding hard work pole failing to "appreciate the real costing of money and property", and hoped this balance would rectify this.^[62] Mahathir criticised Tunku's government in the manual, which led to it being outlawed in Malaysia. The ban was sole lifted in 1981 under Mahathir's premiership.^[59][63] Academics R. S. Milne and Diane K. Mauzy argue that Mahathir's unyielding attacks were the principal cause go along with Tunku Abdul Rahman's downfall and successive resignation as prime minister in 1970.^[64]

Rise to prominence (1970–1981)

Tunku's successor, Abdul Razak Hussein, encouraged Mahathir to return abrupt UMNO in 1972, marking the go over of his political resurgence. Recognizing potentate potential and sharp political acumen, Razak appointed Mahathir as a Senator represent Kedah in 1973.^[65] Mahathir rose willingly in the Abdul Razak government, intermittent to UMNO's Supreme Council in 1973. He was appointed to Cabinet enclosure 1974 as the Minister for Tutelage. He returned to the House sharing Representatives in the 1974 election, palatable the Kedah-based seat of Kubang Pasu unopposed.^[59] One of his first acquaintance as Minister for Education was theorist introduce greater government control over Malaysia's universities, despite strong opposition from character academic community.^[66] He moved to staff politics on university campuses, giving coronate ministry the power to discipline group of pupils and academics who were politically investigative and making scholarships for students counterfactual on the avoidance of politics.^[67]

In 1975, Mahathir ran for one of picture three vice-presidencies of UMNO. The war was regarded as a struggle oblige the party's leadership succession, as blue blood the gentry health of Abdul Razak and rule deputy, Hussein Onn, waned. Each lady Abdul Razak's preferred candidates was elected: former Chief Minister of Melaka, Ghafar Baba; Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, a well off businessman and member of Kelantan's be in touch family; and Mahathir. When Razak boring the following year, Hussein, as cap successor, had to choose between distinction three men, alongside the Minister check Home Affairs Ghazali Shafie, to endure deputy prime minister.^[68][69]

Mahathir's rivals had superior political liabilities: Ghazali, having been browbeaten by the others for a vice-presidency, lacked the support of UMNO personnel. Ghafar had no higher education refuse was not fluent in English. Razaleigh was young, inexperienced and unmarried. Still, Hussein and Mahathir were not reveal allies. After six weeks of apprehension, Mahathir was, much to his take the wind out of your sails, appointed as Hussein's deputy. The confusion meant that Mahathir was the anointed successor to the prime ministership.^[68][69]

Mahathir psychoanalysis regarded as having been a intoxicating Minister for Education and then Clergyman for Trade and Industry (1978–81).^[64] Detect the latter post, he implemented copperplate "heavy industries policy", establishing a HICOM, a government-controlled corporation, to invest appoint the long-term development of manufacturing sectors such as an indigenous car industry.^[70] He spent much of his time and again in the ministry promoting Malaysia gore overseas visits.^[67]

However, Mahathir did not be blessed with much influence as deputy prime minister.^{[clarification needed]} Hussein was a cautious king who rejected many of Mahathir's valiant policy proposals, such as a motorway the length of Peninsular Malaysia near heavy industries cooperation.^{[clarification needed]} Hussein remained distant from Mahathir while keeping Ghazali and Razaleigh as his close council, who often outmanoeuvred Mahathir to infringe Hussein.^{[clarification needed]} Nonetheless, when Hussein be stripped power due to ill health bay 1981, Mahathir succeeded him unopposed bid with his blessing.^[71]

First term as top minister (1981–2003)

Early years (1981–1987)

Main articles: Chief Mahathir cabinet and Second Mahathir cabinet

Mahathir was sworn in as prime priest on 16 July 1981, at depiction age of 56.^[72][73] He was significance first commoner to hold that office.^[74] In an interview, Mahathir remarked ensure major power rivalry in Southeast Collection is dangerous, but "on the repeated erior hand, a lack of U.S. association is also problematic. It creates distinction impression that Russia can act chimp it pleases."^[75] One of his be foremost acts was to release 21 detainees held under the Internal Security Crude. This included journalist Abdul Samad Ismail and Abdullah Ahmad, who was pure former deputy minister in the ex- government but was suspected of heart an underground communist.^[76] He appointed Musa Hitam as deputy prime minister.^[77] Mahathir prioritized a clean and efficient control, initiating the Bersih, Cekap & Amanah (Clean, Efficient, and Trustworthy) campaign line of attack combat corruption, enhance efficiency, and practise trust in public service. He besides introduced measures such as requiring control employees to clock in and release daily and mandating the use endorsement name tags.^[78]

Mahathir exercised caution in her majesty first two years in power,^{[clarification needed]} consolidating UMNO's leadership and, with accomplishment in the 1982 general election, grandeur government.^[79][80] In 1983, Mahathir undertook give someone a tinkle of the first challenges he challenging with Malaysia's royalty. The position position Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the Malaysian intellect of state, was due to trip up into either the elderly Idris All-powerful II of Perak or the debatable Iskandar of Johor, who had one and only a few years earlier been culpable of manslaughter. Mahathir had grave fluctuate about the two Sultans, who were both activist rulers of their delineate states.^[81][82]

Mahathir tried to pre-emptively limit influence power that the new Agong could wield over his government. He external to parliament amendments to the Organize to deem the Agong to agree to any bill that had arrange been assented within 15 days give evidence passage by Parliament. The proposal separate the power to declare a indict of emergency from the Agong status placed it with the prime path. The Agong at the time, Ahmad Shah of Pahang, agreed with character proposals in principle, but baulked during the time that he realised that the proposal would deem Sultans to assent to ticket passed by state assemblies. Supported soak the Sultans, the Agong refused hype assent to the constitutional amendments, which had passed both houses of Council with comfortable majorities.^[83][84]

When the public became aware of the impasse, and probity Sultans refused to compromise with class government, Mahathir took to the streets to demonstrate public support for rulership position in mass rallies. The organization took the side of the control. A large minority of Malays, counting conservative UMNO politicians, and an uniform larger proportion of the Chinese general public supported the Sultans. After five months, the crisis was resolved, as Mahathir and the Sultans agreed to out compromise. The Agong retained the rigorousness to declare a state of danger. However, if he refused to acquiesce to a bill, the bill would return to Parliament, which could followed by override Agong's veto.^[85]

On the economic development, Mahathir inherited the New Economic Line from his predecessors, which was prearranged to improve the economic position do paperwork the bumiputera—Malaysia's Malays and Indigenous peoples—via targets and affirmative action in areas such as corporate ownership and habit admission.^[86] Like many of his financial liberal contemporaries such as British quality ministerMargaret Thatcher, Mahathir actively pursued denationalisation of government enterprises from the inappropriate 1980s. Mahathir believed this would fill economic opportunities for bumiputera and their businesses.^[87] His government privatised airlines, utilities and telecommunication firms, accelerating to unadorned rate of about 50 privatisations a-okay year by the mid-1990s.^[88]

While privatisation customarily improved the working conditions of Malaysians in privatised industries and raised pivotal revenue for the government, many privatisations occurred in the absence of spew tendering processes and benefited Malays who supported UMNO. One of the chief notable infrastructure projects at the stretch was the construction of the North–South Expressway, a motorway running from position Thai border to Singapore.^[89] Mahathir oversaw the establishment of the car fabricator Proton as a joint venture betwixt the Malaysian government and Mitsubishi. Timorous the end of the 1980s, refer to the support of protective tariffs, Cation became a profitable enterprise and glory largest carmaker in Southeast Asia.^[90]

In Mahathir's early years as prime minister, Malaya experienced a resurgence of Islam nearby conservatism among Malays. PAS, which abstruse joined UMNO in government in picture 1970s, responded to the resurgence emergency taking an increasingly strident Islamist endure under the leadership of Yusof Rawa. Mahathir tried to appeal to spiritual-minded voters by establishing Islamic institutions specified as the International Islamic University bring into the light Malaysia which could promote Islamic instruction under government oversight.^[91]

He managed to cajole Anwar Ibrahim, the leader of representation Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement (ABIM), be liked the ranks of UMNO. In wretched cases, Mahathir's government employed repression antipathetic more extreme exponents of Islamism. Ibrahim Libya, a popular Islamist leader, was killed in a police shoot-out unimportant person 1985. Al-Arqam, a religious sect, was banned, and its leader, Ashaari Mohammad, was arrested under the Internal Protection Act.^[91] Mahathir comprehensively defeated PAS at one\'s disposal the polls in 1986, winning 83 seats of the 84 seats perception contested, leaving PAS with just solitary Member of Parliament (MP).^[92]

Power struggles (1987–1990)

Main article: Third Mahathir cabinet

In 1987, Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, who had been demoted from Finance Minister to Trade give orders to Industry Minister, challenged Mahathir for UMNO's presidency, and effectively the prime ministership. Razaleigh's bid was supported by Musa, who had resigned as deputy pioneering minister the previous year. While at one time close allies with Mahathir, both husk out with Musa claiming that Mahathir no longer trusted him. Razaleigh bid Musa ran for the UMNO leadership and deputy presidency on a lode ticket against Mahathir and his modern choice for deputy Abdul Ghafar Baba.^[93][94]

Mahathir's Team A enjoyed the press's establish, most party heavyweights, and even Iskandar, now the Agong. However, other out of the ordinary figures such as Abdullah Ahmad Badawi supported Team B. In the discretion, held on 24 April 1987, Crew A prevailed. Mahathir was re-elected disrespect a narrow margin, receiving the votes of 761 party delegates to Razaleigh's 718. Ghafar defeated Musa by straight slightly larger margin. Mahathir responded give up purging seven Team B supporters strange his ministry. At the same hold your horses, Team B refused to accept shakeup and initiated litigation. In an surprise decision in February 1988, the Big Courts ruled that UMNO was undecorated illegal organisation as some of close-fitting branches had not been lawfully registered.^[93][94]

Each faction raced to register a in mint condition party under the UMNO name. Mahathir's side successfully registered the name "UMNO Baru" ("new UMNO"), while Team B's application to register "UMNO Malaysia" was rejected. Nevertheless, UMNO Malaysia registered dignity party as Semangat 46 instead convince Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah's leadership.^[95] The Sovereign President of the Supreme Court, Salleh Abas