Sublime Political Doyen Mahathir Mohamad Celebrates 100th Birthday

Globally recognized as a former Prime Minister (PM) of Malaysia, Dr Mahathir Mohamad stands as an iconic political figure and a dominant force of nature.

His political journey spanned several decades, marked by headline-grabbing rivalries and complex political dynamics.

Thus, he remains both a deeply polarizing yet revered figure who fought fiercely for his people, placing the Malay community at the core of his leadership philosophy.

As he celebrated his 100th birthday yesterday (10 July 2025), here are five lesser-known insights into the man who devoted much of his life to shaping Malaysia's modern identity.

Born on 10 July 1925, Dr Mahathir grew up under modest circumstances in Alor Setar, Kedah, with a total of eight siblings.

Finishing secondary school at the top of his cohort, he went on to pursue medicine at the University of Malaya, a precursor to the National University of Singapore.

Upon graduating in 1953, he served in various hospitals and clinics across Malaysia before being posted to Langkawi in 1955.

Renowned for its five-star resorts and pristine white sandy beaches today, Langkawi was, in Dr Mahathir's youth, largely undeveloped. There, working in a government clinic, he was the island's first stationed doctor.

Confronted by its underdeveloped state, he would, decades later, during his first tenure as PM, spearhead its transformation into a major tourist destination.

To this day, his contributions to the island are regarded as legendary, with many crediting him for ushering in lasting prosperity to its shores.

Although Dr Mahathir later started his own private practice, his fervour for politics was ignited in the aftermath of World War II, when the British consolidated the Malay states and the Straits Settlements into the Malayan Union and granted citizenship to non-Malays - a move that profoundly shaped his political views. Distinguished by his sharp intellect and unwavering resolve, he rose swiftly through the ranks of the United Malays National Organization (UMNO), securing a seat as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Kota Setar Selatan in 1964.

Throughout his political career, he held multiple ministerial portfolios, eventually ascending to the position of Deputy Prime Minister in 1976, before assuming the role of PM in 1981. He served in this position for 22 years, stepping down in 2003 - a tenure unparalleled in the nation's history. However, after 15 years, he made a dramatic return to the political stage, reclaiming the premiership at the remarkable age of 92.

In the process, Dr Mahathir set a record as the world's oldest PM.

Across his tenures, Malaysia witnessed significant modernization, championing ambitious infrastructure projects such as the spectacular Petronas Twin Towers and the Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

Dr Mahathir's political feuds were not just confined to his fellow Malaysian leaders but also extended to Mr Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore's late former PM.

When Dr Mahathir became an MP in 1964, it was shortly after Singapore joined Malaysia in 1963, which was when he first crossed paths with Mr Lee. Both men, unyielding and resolute political figures, frequently found themselves at odds and did not hesitate to exchange sharp verbal barbs in public.

However, when Mr Lee passed away in March 2015, Dr Mahathir published a heartfelt tribute titled "Kuan Yew and I" on his blog.

"I cannot say I was a close friend of Kuan Yew. But still I feel sad at his demise," he wrote.

Reflecting on the many occasions they "crossed swords" in political debates, he said there was "no enmity, only differences in our views of what was good for the newborn nation".

Dr Mahathir also shared a poignant memory of suffering a heart attack in 1989, which required open heart surgery.

He revealed that Mr Lee had "cared enough" to call his wife requesting that the operation be delayed, as he had arranged for the best heart surgeon - a Singaporean living in Australia - to perform the procedure.

However, he had already been administered pre-medication and was asleep before the operation the next day.

Likewise, when Mr Lee himself fell ill, Dr Mahathir requested to see him.

He agreed, but a night before the planned visit, the Singapore High Commissioner sent word that he was too unwell to receive guests.

Dr Mahathir is as devoted to his family as he is to his country.

He and his wife, Dr Siti Hasmah, 98, have shared nearly seven decades of marriage.

They first met at Singapore's King Edward VII College of Medicine in 1947 and tied the knot in 1956.

In an interview with the New Straits Times (NST), he remarked that although his wife is not a politician, she has been a huge part of his long journey in politics.

"My wife always says that behind every successful man, there is a wife, not just a woman," he said.

While acknowledging that they married young and inevitably had their differences, Dr Mahathir emphasised the importance of tolerance in sustaining a long-lasting relationship.

"If you are tolerant, then you can be together," he noted.

He also firmly believes in preserving his marriage for the sake of their children.