TUN DR MAHATHIR MOHAMAD – PRIME MINISTER
Age: 93 years old today
Title: 4th Prime Minister (1981 to 2003) and 7th (2018-) Prime Minister of Malaysia
MP for Langkawi (P004) constituency
Result for GE14: Tun Dr Mahathir (18,954 ) won with 8,893 majority against Barisan Nasional’s Datuk Nawawi Ahmad (10,061) and PAS’ Zubir Ahmad (5,512).
Term: 1st term as MP for Langkawi (2018), was MP for Kubang Pasu (1974-2014)
Spouse: Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah binti Haji Mohamad Ali
Kids: Marina Mahathir, Mirzan Mahathir, Melinda Mahathir, Mokhzani Mahathir, Mukhriz Mahathir, Maizura Mahathir, Mazhar Mahathir.
Fun Facts about Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad
1. He used to write for The Straits Times.
Tun M. used to write for his school magazine back in 1945 and he made use of that experience when money was tight when he was in college, Tun M. wrote articles under the pen name “C.H.E. Det” for the Singapore-based newspaper, The Strait Times to earn extra cash while pursuing his medical degree at the Universiti Malaya..
2. Tun Dr Mahathir is now the oldest current world leader
At the age of 92 (turning 93 on 10th July), Tun M. is now the oldest world leader after having been officially sworn in as Malaysia’s seventh Prime Minister last May. He beat Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom by just 285 days, bumping her to second place.
3. Tun Dr. Mahathir opened the first Malay Clinic in the country
In 1957, Dr Mahathir left the public service to open his private practice known as Klinik Maha iin Alor Setar. It was the first Malay run clinic in the country.
4. Tun Dr. Mahathir is also a book author
Following his expulsion from UMNO in 1969, Dr Mahathir wrote a book titled “The Malay Dilemma.” The book talks about racist stereotypes and it solidified Dr Mahathir’s reputation as an advocate for Malay rights.
5. Tun Dr. Mahathir is one of the world’s leaders to have their own blog
Despite his age, Dr. Mahathir keeps up with modernisation as he owns his own blog called ‘Chedet’ which he established in 2008. Despite being Malaysia’s current Prime Minister, he still updates his blog. Besides political topics, he also talks about the local cultures and other current issues such as terrorism.