The Hon. Tun Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad was Prime Minister of Malaysia from 1981 to 2003 and from 2018 to 2020. During this period, he opened up the country to foreign investments, reformed taxation, reduced trade barriers, oversaw the privatisation of numerous state owned enterprises and created a world-class physical infrastructure. During Tun Dr Mahathir’s tenure as Prime Minister, Malaysia became one of the most prosperous and dynamic economies in Southeast Asia, with a thriving industry, growing middle class, and increased quality of life. Malaysia also played a more active role in the international arena, acting as a voice for developing countries in Asia and Africa.
In 2015, Tun Dr Mahathir came out of retirement and spearheaded a campaign to topple the Government led by Datuk Seri Najib Razak for his complicity in the 1MDB scandal. The USA’s Department of Justice had described Najib Razak as committing the “biggest kleptocracy in the history of its investigation.” On 9th May 2018, the result of the 14th Malaysian General Election declared Pakatan Harapan, the coalition led by Tun Dr Mahathir, as the winner. Tun Dr Mahathir was sworn in as the 7th Prime Minister the following day.
On February 24th, 2020 Tun Dr Mahathir resigned as Prime Minister.
Following his retirement as Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir was conferred his nation’s highest award, Seri Maharaja Mangku Negara that carries the title “Tun” in recognition of his immense contribution to the country. Tun Dr Mahathir is also the author of several books and articles touching on various issues such as Globalisation, Role of Islam and Muslim Ummah, Malaysian Currency Crises, to name a few. His most recent book, Capturing Hope follows chronologically the events described in Tun Dr Mahathir’s best-selling book, A Doctor in the House.
Tun Dr Mahathir is married to a doctor, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, and they have seven children and seventeen grandchildren.
