History of Mahathir Mohamad

Mahathir Mohamad, known as Malaysia's longest-serving prime minister, is a central figure in the country’s political history, marked by dynamic leadership, significant reforms, and a complex legacy. His political career spanned over seven decades, and he became a symbol of Malaysia's development and modernization.

Mahathir was born on July 10, 1925, in Alor Setar, Kedah, in what was then British Malaya. He pursued medical studies at King Edward VII College of Medicine in Singapore, but his interests veered towards politics during the turbulent times of post-war Malaya. His first foray into politics occurred in the 1940s when he joined the United Malays National Organization (UMNO), which was founded in 1946 to champion Malay nationalism and oppose British colonial rule.

In 1964, Mahathir was elected as a Member of Parliament for the Kota Setar Selatan constituency. However, his parliamentary career was short-lived when he lost his seat in the general elections of 1969. Around the same time, Malaysia was dealing with the May 13 racial riots, a significant upheaval that led to tensions between the Malay and Chinese communities. In the aftermath, Mahathir lost his political standing, which was exacerbated by his open criticism of then-Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman, whom he accused of failing to uphold Malay interests.

Mahathir was expelled from UMNO, but his influential book, "The Malay Dilemma" (1970), brought him back into the political light. In the book, he argued that Malays were the definitive population of Malaysia and deserved preferential treatment to correct economic imbalances. Though controversial, the book caught the attention of the new UMNO leadership when Abdul Rahman stepped down. Under the leadership of Tun Abdul Razak, Mahathir was readmitted to UMNO in 1972, marking his political renaissance.

His climb up the political ladder was rapid. He became the Minister of Education in 1974 and was appointed as Deputy Prime Minister under Hussein Onn in 1976. When Hussein Onn resigned in 1981 due to health issues, Mahathir assumed office as the fourth Prime Minister of Malaysia.

During Mahathir's first tenure as Prime Minister (1981-2003), he was recognized for his ambitious projects and modernization policies. Under his vision, known as Vision 2020, he aimed to transform Malaysia into a fully developed economy by the year 2020. His policies emphasized industrialization, privatization, and the promotion of exports. Mahathir played a crucial role in shifting Malaysia's economy from being agricultural-based toward manufacturing and services, setting the stage for substantial economic growth.

Mahathir also prioritized infrastructure development. Landmark projects like the North-South Expressway, the Petronas Twin Towers, and the establishment of a new administrative capital, Putrajaya, were initiated under his leadership. His "Look East Policy" encouraged learning industrial skills from Japan and South Korea, aiming at replicating their economic success.

While his economic achievements were lauded, Mahathir's leadership was not without controversy. His tenure was marked by instances of political repression, including operations to silence dissent and consolidate power. One of the most notable episodes was the 1987 "Operasi Lalang," where over a hundred people, including opposition politicians, were detained under the Internal Security Act. His administration was also involved in judicial conflicts, notably the 1988 constitutional crisis, which led to the dismissal of the Lord President of the Supreme Court and several other judges.

Mahathir retired in 2003, handing over the reins to his deputy, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. However, he continued to influence Malaysian politics from behind the scenes and remained an outspoken critic of subsequent administrations.

In a surprising twist, Mahathir returned to the forefront of Malaysian politics. In 2018, at the age of 92, he became the world's oldest head of government after winning the general elections. Representing the Pakatan Harapan coalition, he defeated Najib Razak's Barisan Nasional, ending its 61-year rule. Mahathir’s return was fueled by allegations of corruption under Najib, particularly surrounding the 1MDB scandal.

Mahathir’s second term was characterized by efforts to tackle corruption and reform various institutions. However, internal strife within his coalition led to political instability. In February 2020, Mahathir resigned, ending his brief second premiership, and the ensuing political crisis saw the rise of Muhyiddin Yassin as Prime Minister.

A complex figure, Mahathir Mohamad’s political journey is one of significant achievements and contentious policies. His vision transformed Malaysia's socio-economic landscape, though not without stirring controversy and debate. To many, he remains a visionary leader who fiercely advocated for Malaysia's progress on the global stage. Yet his legacy also serves as a reminder of the profound impact – both positive and negative – that leadership can have in shaping a nation’s history.