Home / Photos / News / Photos: Mahathir Mohamad, the Malaysian PM who’s made a comeback at 92

Photos: Mahathir Mohamad, the Malaysian PM who’s made a comeback at 92

Updated On May 11, 2018 12:12 PM IST

With his surprise election win against Najib Razak, Mahathir Mohamad the 92-year-old former Prime Minister of Malaysia known for his tight control over power and 22-year long government, accomplised a feat many predicted was impossible. Analysts say, Mahathir seems intent on using what may be the final chapter of his life to clean up Malaysia and fashion a more positive legacy. A look at the man, who is now the world’s oldest elected leader and a claims a political career spanning over 70 years.

Share Via

Copy Link

1 / 9

Mahathir Mohamad smiles during a press conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on May 10, 2018. Known as an authoritarian leader who persecuted his foes and stifled dissent, the pugnacious politician, remarkably robust at age 92, pulled off a stunning electoral upset on Wednesday, denying his former protege Najib Razak a third term as Prime Minister, ending the ruling National Front’s 60-year hold on power. (Adrian Hoe / AP)

Updated on May 11, 2018 12:12 PM IST

Mahathir Mohamad smiles during a press conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on May 10, 2018. Known as an authoritarian leader who persecuted his foes and stifled dissent, the pugnacious politician, remarkably robust at age 92, pulled off a stunning electoral upset on Wednesday, denying his former protege Najib Razak a third term as Prime Minister, ending the ruling National Front’s 60-year hold on power. (Adrian Hoe / AP)

2 / 9

Malaysia’s former Prime Minister Tun Hussein Onn (L), greets his successor Mahathir Mohamad in 1981. Mahathir was a maverick Malay nationalist in the early days, surviving expulsion from the dominant United Malays National Organization (UMNO) party which he joined in 1946, and becoming the first commoner prime minister of Malaysia. (AP File)

Updated on May 11, 2018 12:12 PM IST

Malaysia’s former Prime Minister Tun Hussein Onn (L), greets his successor Mahathir Mohamad in 1981. Mahathir was a maverick Malay nationalist in the early days, surviving expulsion from the dominant United Malays National Organization (UMNO) party which he joined in 1946, and becoming the first commoner prime minister of Malaysia. (AP File)

3 / 9

Mahathir Mohamad arrives to the new administrative capital for his first working day in Putrajaya, south of Kuala Lumpur on June 21, 1999. Under his 22-year rule, the judiciary was a tool of the government, the media were muzzled, and economic privileges for the Malay majority and second-class status for Chinese and Indian minorities remained entrenched. (Vincent Thian / AP)

Updated on May 11, 2018 12:12 PM IST

Mahathir Mohamad arrives to the new administrative capital for his first working day in Putrajaya, south of Kuala Lumpur on June 21, 1999. Under his 22-year rule, the judiciary was a tool of the government, the media were muzzled, and economic privileges for the Malay majority and second-class status for Chinese and Indian minorities remained entrenched. (Vincent Thian / AP)

4 / 9

Mahathir had extravagant ambitions for Malaysia’s economy, backing the construction of the Petronas Towers (background, 1996) that were once the world’s tallest buildings and creating state-owned carmaker Proton, which never really prospered. He is credited with transforming Malaysia into a modern economy, like his contemporary, Lee Kuan Yew in Singapore. (Mike Fiala / AP File)

Updated on May 11, 2018 12:12 PM IST

Mahathir had extravagant ambitions for Malaysia’s economy, backing the construction of the Petronas Towers (background, 1996) that were once the world’s tallest buildings and creating state-owned carmaker Proton, which never really prospered. He is credited with transforming Malaysia into a modern economy, like his contemporary, Lee Kuan Yew in Singapore. (Mike Fiala / AP File)

5 / 9

Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamed (R) and Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Anwar Ibrahim (L) in Parliament on October 17, 1998. Among the stains of his years in power was the sacking of Ibrahim, following a power struggle. He led street protests against Mahathir but was imprisoned on charges of sodomy and corruption and appeared in court with a black eye from a police beating. (David Loh / REUTERS File)

Updated on May 11, 2018 12:12 PM IST

Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamed (R) and Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Anwar Ibrahim (L) in Parliament on October 17, 1998. Among the stains of his years in power was the sacking of Ibrahim, following a power struggle. He led street protests against Mahathir but was imprisoned on charges of sodomy and corruption and appeared in court with a black eye from a police beating. (David Loh / REUTERS File)

6 / 9

Mahathir Mohamad (R) meets with visiting Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat on August 25, 2001 in Kuala Lumpur. Not long before his retirement in 2003, Mahathir caused global outrage with an anti-Semitic speech to leaders of Islamic nations that portrayed Jews as leading a global conspiracy to oppress Muslims. (Getty Images File)

Updated on May 11, 2018 12:12 PM IST

Mahathir Mohamad (R) meets with visiting Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat on August 25, 2001 in Kuala Lumpur. Not long before his retirement in 2003, Mahathir caused global outrage with an anti-Semitic speech to leaders of Islamic nations that portrayed Jews as leading a global conspiracy to oppress Muslims. (Getty Images File)

7 / 9

Mahathir Mohamad (C), with then Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (R), and Deputy PM Najib Razak at the UMNO general assembly. Even after stepping down, he remained influential, smoothing Najib’s ascent to the top in 2009 after criticizing his first successor, Badawi, for poor economic management. He also supported Najib in the 2013 elections, eventually becoming his most ferocious critic. (Lai Seng Sin / AP)

Updated on May 11, 2018 12:12 PM IST

Mahathir Mohamad (C), with then Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (R), and Deputy PM Najib Razak at the UMNO general assembly. Even after stepping down, he remained influential, smoothing Najib’s ascent to the top in 2009 after criticizing his first successor, Badawi, for poor economic management. He also supported Najib in the 2013 elections, eventually becoming his most ferocious critic. (Lai Seng Sin / AP)

8 / 9

Then Australian Prime Minister John Howard stares at Mahathir Mohamad as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders meet in Bangkok on October 21, 2003. Long critical of Australia’s participation, Mahathir said in December 2002: “This country stands out like a sore thumb trying to impose its European values in Asia as if the good old days when people can shoot Aborigines without caring about human rights.” (Luis Enrique Ascui / Getty Images File)

Updated on May 11, 2018 12:12 PM IST

Then Australian Prime Minister John Howard stares at Mahathir Mohamad as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders meet in Bangkok on October 21, 2003. Long critical of Australia’s participation, Mahathir said in December 2002: “This country stands out like a sore thumb trying to impose its European values in Asia as if the good old days when people can shoot Aborigines without caring about human rights.” (Luis Enrique Ascui / Getty Images File)

9 / 9

Mahathir, waves after becoming Malaysia’s Prime Minister on May 10, 2018. He is now the world’s oldest elected leader and, analysts say, seems intent on cleaning up Malaysia — calling it a “mess” — and fashioning a more positive legacy. He has promised to seek a full royal pardon for Anwar, criticized a repressive “fake news” law introduced under Najib and vowed to cancel an unpopular goods and service tax. (Ore Huiying / Bloomberg)

Updated on May 11, 2018 12:12 PM IST

Mahathir, waves after becoming Malaysia’s Prime Minister on May 10, 2018. He is now the world’s oldest elected leader and, analysts say, seems intent on cleaning up Malaysia — calling it a “mess” — and fashioning a more positive legacy. He has promised to seek a full royal pardon for Anwar, criticized a repressive “fake news” law introduced under Najib and vowed to cancel an unpopular goods and service tax. (Ore Huiying / Bloomberg)

SHARE

Copy

Whatsapp Twitter Facebook Linkedin

Story Saved

×

New Delhi ⁰C

Wednesday, March 29, 2023

Start 15 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now

Register Free and get Exciting Deals