History of Mahathir Mohamad

Mahathir Mohamad, born on December 20, 1925, in Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia, is a distinguished political figure who has left an indelible mark on Malaysian politics. His political journey is a fascinating tale of leadership, resilience, and transformation that runs parallel to Malaysia's own path to modernization.

Mahathir's initial foray into politics began after he completed his medical studies at King Edward VII College of Medicine in Singapore. He worked as a government doctor before fully venturing into politics. His journey was catalyzed by an affinity for the fledgling nationalist movements of the time, and he joined the United Malays National Organization (UMNO) in 1946, a core component of the Alliance Party coalition that played a critical role in securing Malayan independence from Britain in 1957.

Mahathir won his first parliamentary seat in 1964, but lost it in 1969. This loss was followed by a period of political reflection and writing, during which he penned "The Malay Dilemma," a controversial book that analyzed the socio-economic challenges faced by the Malay community. Though initially banned, the book later emerged as a significant ideological framework for UMNO's pro-Malay affirmative policies. His visions aligned with those of the party just as the New Economic Policy (NEP) was being formulated, and Mahathir was readmitted into the party.

He returned to politics by securing the position of Education Minister in 1974 and soon ascended to Deputy Prime Minister in 1976. His rise continued as he became Malaysia's fourth Prime Minister in July 1981, succeeding Hussein Onn. Mahathir's initial tenure as Prime Minister, from 1981 to 2003, marked an era of robust economic growth and significant sociopolitical shifts in Malaysia. His leadership style was characterized by economic liberalization, industrialization, and a shift toward a more centralized federal administration.

Under Mahathir's vision, Malaysia underwent rapid development with initiatives like the Malaysia Incorporated policy, which emphasized close cooperation between the government and the private sector. This era saw the construction of monumental infrastructure projects: the North-South Expressway, the Kuala Lumpur International Airport, and the Petronas Twin Towers, all aiming to showcase Malaysia as a burgeoning economic powerhouse. The Look East Policy further underscored Malaysia's commitment to modeling Japanese and South Korean work ethics and technology.

However, Mahathir's leadership was not without controversy. Critics often cited his authoritarian tendencies, marked by the centralization of power and marginalization of dissent within and outside UMNO. The 1987 Internal Security Act arrests, known as Operation Lalang, were part of a broader strategy to curb opposition perceived as threats to national stability. He also faced significant critique over his handling of the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis, where he famously pegged the Malaysian ringgit to the US dollar and imposed capital controls, diverging from prevailing global economic norms.

In 2003, Mahathir retired, handing over leadership to Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. However, his retirement was not the end of his political involvement. Discontent with his successors' policies led Mahathir to campaign actively against them, culminating in his surprising return to politics in 2016 at the forefront of a reformist coalition, Pakatan Harapan. Disenchanted by what he saw as growing corruption and economic stagnation under Prime Minister Najib Razak, Mahathir became an unlikely ally with former political adversaries.

Mahathir's electoral comeback in 2018 was historic. As the leader of Pakatan Harapan, he led the coalition to victory, decisively ending the 61-year rule of the Barisan Nasional coalition. At 92, Mahathir became the world's oldest serving Prime Minister after being sworn into office once again. His second tenure focused on institutional reforms and combating corruption, including initiating legal proceedings against Najib over the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal.

Mahathir's return was fraught with challenges as he attempted to balance coalition politics with his reform agenda. Tensions within the coalition, especially with Anwar Ibrahim, who was named his successor, eventually led to political instability. In February 2020, amidst mounting pressure and internal rifts, Mahathir resigned, succeeded by Muhyiddin Yassin, marking yet another dramatic shift in Malaysian politics.

Mahathir Mohamad's extensive political career spans periods of unprecedented economic transformation and sociopolitical turbulence. His leadership fundamentally reshaped Malaysia, impacting both its domestic policies and international posture. He remains a complex figure, celebrated for his contributions to Malaysia's development, yet critiqued for his authoritarian approach and lasting institutional legacies. His story is a testament to the intricacies of political leadership in a rapidly evolving nation, illustrating both the potential and pitfalls of transformative governance.