Dr Mahathir Mohamad Celebrates His 101st Birthday

On July 10, 2026, Malaysia's longest-serving prime minister, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, celebrated a significant milestone—his 101st birthday. Born on July 10, 1925, in Alor Setar, Kedah, he is the youngest among nine siblings, remaining a prominent figure in Malaysian politics.

Dr Mahathir has been married to Dr Hasmah Ali since 1956; she is about to turn 100 herself in just two days.

Recovery from Hip Injury

Earlier this year, Mahathir was treated for a hip fracture at the National Heart Institute after an unfortunate fall at home. Opting for physiotherapy instead of surgery, his recovery is ongoing at his advanced age.

Despite relying on a wheelchair since the incident, Mahathir remains engaged in public life, most recently appearing in Langkawi to interact with citizens.

Six Decades in Malaysian Politics

Mahathir has dedicated nearly 70 years to Malaysian politics, engaging with various major political parties throughout his extensive career. His journey included affiliations with Umno, DAP, PKR, and PAS at various intervals.

Primarily aligning with Umno, he was briefly expelled from the party but later made a return and rose to its presidency.

Two Terms as Premier

Mahathir initially held the prime ministerial office from 1981 to 2003, establishing himself as the longest-serving leader in Malaysia's history. He reclaimed the position after the May 2018 general election, following the defeat of Barisan Nasional.

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His second tenure concluded in February 2020 due to the Sheraton Move, which led to the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan government.

Key Policies and National Initiatives

During his 22-year leadership as Malaysia's fourth prime minister, he launched numerous pivotal policies and projects. The notable Look East Policy was introduced to cultivate educational and business connections with countries such as Japan and South Korea.

He also supported the birth of Proton, Malaysia's inaugural locally produced vehicle.

Under his guidance, several transformative national projects were initiated, including the Petronas Twin Towers, KL Tower, Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), and the establishment of Putrajaya as the country's administrative hub.

Pursuing Unity in Malay Politics

Mahathir made various attempts to foster political harmony within the Malay community; however, his efforts proved to be unsustainable.

In May, he candidly acknowledged his failure to unite the Malays, having led Umno, Bersatu, and Pejuang at different stages throughout his career.