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Mahathir Mohamad
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Mahathir Mohamad

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Mahathir Mohamad
Mahathir Mohamad
Mahathir Mohamad is the former prime minister of Malaysia. A trained doctor, he had two stints in power - the first from 1981 to 2003 when he led the Barisan Nasional ruling coalition and the second from 2018 to February 24, 2020, when he was backed by the Pakatan Harapan ruling coalition. Mahathir had joined forces with his on-again, off-again rival Anwar Ibrahim to pull off a surprise election victory in 2018 to oust disgraced former leader Najib Razak, who has been implicated in a multi-billion dollar scandal involving state investment firm 1MDB.
Born
10 Jul 1925
Industry
Politics
Job Title
Former Prime Minister of Malaysia
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim during an event in October 2025. Photo: AFP
Malaysia

Asian Angle | Malaysia’s PM term limits could backfire unless election cycles are set

To secure his legacy, Anwar Ibrahim must ensure his reform doesn’t accidentally encourage the very political instability he seeks to prevent.

Malaysia

King warns of wider corruption ‘hunt’ as military scandal rocks Malaysia

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Malaysia

Why surgery ‘not wise’ for Malaysia’s Mahathir after hip fall

Malaysia

Malaysia’s ex-PM Mahathir in hospital after a fall at home – ‘he was conscious’

Mahathir, 100, fell when he was walking from the balcony to his living room in his home in Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysia’s former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad leaves a protest event against Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Kuala Lumpur last July. Photo: AFP
Malaysia

Reform gamble: Anwar to limit Malaysia PM term amid support crisis

The move could ‘excite core supporters’ and help project the image that the ruling coalition remains committed to reform, analysts say.

Malaysia

Fair or fowl? Malaysia struggles to stomach its US trade pact

Local chefs fume over ‘lousy’ US poultry flooding the market, as critics call the trade agreement hastily reached and unfairly lopsided.

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China economy

Opinion | As history makes clear, a powerful China is not expansionist

China was an unmatched power in the Song and Ming dynasties, with greater concentrated authority. But it consolidated, rather than colonised.

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Singapore

Anwar’s coalition revives Chinese school certification debate, sparking row

The sensitive issue in the Malay-Muslim majority country has caused a row between Umno and DAP, an insider says.

Singapore

‘No longer contentious’: Malaysia to weigh Singapore’s water project plan

The two countries have disagreed over water supply for decades, such as the perceived low prices charged by Malaysia’s Johor.

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Malaysia

Malaysia’s Anwar vows ‘no protection’ for close aides in corruption probes

The prime minister has been accused of launching investigations targeting his political rivals while going soft on scandals closer to home.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (right) with his former senior political secretary, Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin. Photo: Handout
Malaysia

‘Unconstitutional’: Mahathir reports PM Anwar to police over Trump trade deal

Ex-PM claims the deal lacks constitutional approval and undermines bumiputra privileges, which benefit ethnic Malays and indigenous groups.

Former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad speaks during a news conference at his office in Putrajaya, Malaysia in January 2024. Photo: AP
Malaysia

Malaysian PM’s war on corruption hits snag as top political secretary quits

The senior aide allegedly demanded bribes in the form of home renovations, a massage chair and washing machines.

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Malaysia

Chinese text at factory event in Kedah sparks double-standard accusation

Critics contrast the Chinese characters on a foundation stone at the event with the push by PAS to strictly use Malay and Jawi in Kedah.

Malaysia

Asian Angle | Why Malaysia’s fuel subsidy reform is stuck in the slow lane

Fears of a 2008-style backlash and poor public transport are keeping Anwar’s government from slashing the huge, regressive fuel subsidy bill.

Fuel pump nozzles are seen at a petrol station in Sarawak, Malaysia. Photo: AFP
Malaysia

From privilege to purpose: Marina Mahathir’s fight for justice in Malaysia

Marina says her privileged background has given her a responsibility to champion for those who are unable to advocate for themselves.

Marina Mahathir speaks at the Karim Family Foundation Inspiring Women Leadership Lecture Series at Singapore Management University campus on Friday. Photo: Singapore Management University
Asean

Anwar’s Trump card: why Malaysia wants US president at Asean summit

Despite Washington’s support for Israel, Malaysia’s PM Anwar Ibrahim is letting trade ambitions trump ideology, analysts say.

Malaysia

Outcry in Malaysia over independent news outlet’s social media suspension

The move came hours after the news portal published a report on a network of suspicious social media accounts boosting the PM’s page.

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Malaysia

From Malaysia to Bangladesh, Asia’s dirty money finds a home in UK property

Investigators from Kuala Lumpur to Dhaka are once again focusing on Britain’s role as a global laundromat for kleptocrats.

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The City of London financial district in London, Britain. Photo: EPA
Malaysia

Anwar vs Mahathir: Malaysia’s corruption showdown comes full circle

The current prime minister’s anti-corruption drive is shattering the myth that Malaysia’s political elites are untouchable.

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Malaysian mall risks boycott, Thailand’s Thaksin imprisoned: 7 Asia highlights

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Malaysia

Malaysia’s anti-corruption agency probing ex-PM Mahathir’s ‘UK assets’

The latest move is part of a wider investigation by PM Anwar Ibrahim into the country’s ultra-rich and powerful.

Former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad leaves the Kuala Lumpur High Court in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He has repeatedly denied claims that he had abused his power to amass his alleged riches. Photo: EPA
Malaysia

How Malaysia’s bid to prevent a ‘corrupt-minded society’ is taking a comic turn

Anti-corruption chief Azam Baki turns to comics, films and live-streams to stop Malaysia from becoming a ‘corrupt-minded society’.

A child reads a comic book at the Hong Kong Book Fair in July. Malaysian authorities are hoping comics can attract children to their anti-corruption message. Photo: Sam Tsang
Malaysia

‘Be my guest’: Malaysia’s Anwar dares rivals to hold no-confidence vote

In the aftermath of weekend protests calling for his resignation, the prime minister has earned praise for his administration’s restraint.

Malaysia

Malaysians demand ‘liar’ PM Anwar step down in mass protest

The opposition-organised rally targets Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim over unfulfilled promises and alleged authoritarian tendencies.

Malaysia

‘Reformasi’ reversal? Malaysia’s judicial bulwark faces a familiar siege

Once a victim of Malaysia’s politicised courts, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim now stands accused of undermining judicial independence.

Supporters of Anwar Ibrahim hold posters and shout “Reformasi”, the Malay word for reform, in Kuala Lumpur in 2000. Photo: AP
Malaysia

Malaysia’s top court to hear Anwar’s immunity bid in sexual harassment case

The prime minister faces a civil suit filed by a former research aide who has accused him of sexual assault at his private residence in 2018.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is facing a civil sexual harassment suit from a former research aide. Photo: Reuters
Malaysia

Asian Angle | Malaysia’s Mahathir Mohamad: a 100-year mixed legacy

From nation-building triumphs to institutional erosion, the 100-year legacy of Malaysia’s two-time prime minister is complex.

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Malaysia

Malaysia has a new chief justice but appointment stirs fresh controversy

Wan Ahmad Farid’s political ties to 1MDB scandal-hit Najib have raised concerns about judicial independence.

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