Malaysia’s Mahathir Mohammad, Oldest Prime Minister at the Age of 92

Politics is all about prospects and curious equations, you never know how the mind of people works while they cast their votes. Malaysian politician Mahathir Mohammad has made a record after registering a shocking victory in the country’s 14th general election, which also confirmed the start of a new reign under his leadership in Malaysia, thereby becoming the world’s oldest elected leader at the age of 92 years.

Mahathir Mohamad is sworn in as the seventh Prime Minister of Malaysia after his stunning victory over the coalition that has been ruling Malaysia for more than six decades after its independence from England. Malaysia's constitutional monarch, Sultan Muhammad V, administered the oath. Mahathir Mohamad appeared, dressed in a traditional black “baju melayu” tunic and sarong, with an Islamic cap on his head. 

Mahathir Mohamad has also ruled Malaysia with an iron hand for 22 years, between 1981 to 2003. After his long tenure, he started living a retired life. But at the need of the hour, he came out of his retirement to challenge and defeat his former student, Najib Razak, who was the Prime Minister of Malaysia for a decade. 

Mohamad Mahathir made an alliance with four other political parties, which in total won 121 seats. In the 222 member parliament that requires 112 seats to rule, scripting the defeat of Najib Razak of Barisan Nasional for the first time. After taking oath Mahathir Mohamad in his speech repeated his election promises to reconsider the good and services tax introduced by Najib Razak cabinet and also will review foreign investments including infrastructural projects.

In his first press conference, Mahathir Mohamad said, he will put an end to the unpopular sales tax and also said he will arrange for the pardon for his political ally and deputy Anwar Ibrahim, so that he can re-enter politics. In 2015 Anwar was found guilty of sodomy since then he is in prison.

Anwar’s release would also pave the way for Mahathir to choose his successor, as he may not able to rule much because of his advanced age. Anwar’s wife, Wan Azizah played a vital role in electioneering the Malaysian election by serving Mahathir as his deputy. She is elected in the election and is inducted in the cabinet.

Mahathir also made it clear, when he was asked during the press conference, whether he will pursue corruption charges against Najib Razak. Mahathir said, he would follow the rule of law. He said, “If the law says Najib has done something wrong, then he will have to face the consequences”.

Najib Razak government has been accused of corruption. Najib’s name also came to surface in the corruption involving $700 million from the 1Malaysian Development Berhad, a state investment fund. He has also been accused of tampering with the investigations by removing key officials from their post. Though he has denied all allegations against him. 

Mahathir also said that the controversial fake news law that is recently introduced in Malaysia would be put under review. As before election Mahathir was also targeted under the new law. He said, “I cannot accept this country being destroyed by selfish people who only think about themselves, who steal money.”

During Mahathir Mohamad, earlier leadership between 1981 to 2003, Malaysia rose on to become one of the prominent Asian tigers, the economy of the country expanded rapidly in the 1990s. But at the same time, he was always dubbed as an authoritarian leader who is known for his use of the country’s security laws to punish his political opponents. So, now again Malaysia is under tough hands.