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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 former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad poses for a picture outside his office in Putrajaya on May 5 last year. Photo: AFP
Malaysia

Mahathir ‘doesn’t care’ about ‘dictator’ label as he reflects on his legacy

In an interview, the former prime minister reveals that he and his ex-protege, Anwar Ibrahim, clashed over their views on corruption.

Malaysia

Singapore’s refusal to negotiate over Hormuz creates waves in Malaysia

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Malaysia

Malaysian corruption watchdog secures arrest warrant for tycoon Daim’s sons

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Malaysia

Malaysia mourns death of former transport minister Ling Liong Sik at 82

The trained medical doctor, who entered politics in 1968, served as transport minister from 1986 to 2003.

Ling Liong Sik waves to his supporters during the MCA Extraordinary General Meeting on June 24, 2001. Photo: AP
Malaysia

Graft and gridlock: in Anwar’s Malaysia, reformist cracks widen

Malaysia’s prime minister can’t pass his own reform bills. His coalition appears to be cracking – and time is running out.

Malaysia

Anti-corruption agency seeks Malaysians’ help to find Daim’s 4 children

A source from the agency says the late ex-finance minister’s children are under investigation for failing to declare their assets.

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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’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim during an event in October 2025. Photo: AFP
Malaysia

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

Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar says the army procurement scandal is just the ‘tip of the iceberg’, as he warns against abuse of power in office.

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Malaysia

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

The former PM’s son says surgery is not advised for his father’s hip injury due to advanced age, with recovery expected to take up to three weeks.

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.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim says his government aims to pass a law this year capping a prime minister’s tenure at 10 years or two terms. Photo: Reuters
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.

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.

Students create a long scroll in Kelang, Selangor state. A proposal for the Malaysian government’s recognition of school leaving certificates issued by private Chinese high schools has sparked a row in the ruling coalition. Photo: Xinhua
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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The border crossing connecting Singapore to the Malaysian southern city of Johor Bahru. The state of Johor supplies untreated water to Singapore daily. Photo: AFP
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.

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.

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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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Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin resigned on Tuesday. Photo: Handout
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.

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.

US President Donald Trump speaks to the media in the White House on September 19. He is slated to attend the Asean summit set for October 26 to 28 in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: EPA
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.

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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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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Illustration: Huy Truong
SCMP Highlights

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

From Thaksin’s fall from grace to Nepal’s historic new interim prime minister, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent Asia reporting.

Malaysians have decried Suria KLCC for refusing to allow in visitors with the Palestinian flag. Photo: Instagram/suriaklccmall
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.

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’.

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