Full name: Dr.Mahathir bin Mohamad
Birth date: July 10, 1925
Birth place: Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia
Education: King Edward VII College of Medicine
Occupation: Politician, Physician
Years active: 1981-2003
Height: 5 feet 6 inches (1.70 m)
Spouse (s): Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali
Religion: Islam
Zodiac sign:Sagittarius
Mahathir bin Mohamad is a great Malaysian politician and was the longest Prime Minister of the country. He is a great leader who shaped the country as a developing nation from a poor nation by his astute leadership during his more than 22 years ruling period. Mahathir is the founder of modern Malaysia holding office from 1981 to 2003 as a successful prime minister. Under his leadership, his party won the election consecutively five times and formed the government as well as was the democratically elected longest prime minister in Asia. On October 30, 2003, Mahathir Mohamad willingly left the prime minister’s post. The dynamic leader of Malaysia again has won the general election against Najib Razak on May 9, 2018.
Mahathir Mohamad Early Life:
Mahathir Mohamad was born on July 10, 1925, in Alor Setar, in the state of Kedah in northern Malaysia to Mohamad Iskandar and Wan Tempawan Wan Hanapi. He was born in a lower-middle-class family and he was youngest among the 10 siblings. His father Mohamad Iskandar was a school teacher later he worked as a government auditor and the mother was a religiously educated lady who taught him Quran at home.
Mahathir began to study at only English medium school in Malaysia. During the Second World War in 1942, Japan attacked Malaysia and shut down the English Medium School eventually established a Japanese School at that he was 16. At first, he wouldn’t want to go to Japanese School and started to sell to a banana at the local market. Then he admitted into the Japanese school by the pressure of his father, Japanese rule lasted more than three years in Malaysia.
In 1947, enrolled at the King Edward VII College of Medicine in Singapore where he met his future wife Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali she was also a student at the Institute. After completing education, Mahathir came back to Malaysia in 1953.
Mahathir Mohamad Career:
Mahathir Mohamad kicked off the career journey as a government medical officer just after return from Singapore in 1953. He left the government job just three years before getting freedom from the United Kingdom and established a clinic in his own city in Alor Setar. Mahathir continued his career as a doctor until becoming a minister in 1974.
He associated with the politics since 20 years old. Mahathir formed his political party United Malays National Organization (UMNO). In 2006, he established another political party Malaysian United Indigenous Party. He elected as first Parliament Member in 1964 at 39 years old. In 1969, he elected Parliament Member for the second time and under the leadership of UMNO the government formed.
There was an acute riot between China and Malaya communities in 1969 and Mahathir strongly criticized the Prime Minister, the party’s senior leader didn’t tolerate the criticism eventfully the party expelled him. He was in exile from politics for the next three years. In 1972, Mahathir was reinstated as a member and senator.
In 1974, he became the Education Minister, just two years later, he holds the office as Deputy Prime Minister and was successful. Mahathir planned enough to do for the country as a Deputy Prime Minister but there was a limitation as he was not free to do his work. On July 16, 1981, Mahathir Mohamad becomes the Prime Minister of the country and free for his plans for the constantly 22 years. Since he and his party consecutively in five elections being elected formed the government. On October 30, 2003, he left the Prime Minister’s post just after OIC Conference.
Modern Malaysia:
Dr. Mahathir Mohammad is considered a founder of modern Malaysia in the world. After becoming prime minister, Mahathir re-examined all the issues. He thoroughly examined daily routine work of government officers, all policies, procedures, bureaucratic procedures to run the country. Mahathir introduced work flow-chart and office manuals for the government officers.
He shaped a long term program as everyone become aware of their respective role. People from the footpath to the highest leadership will work for the country and thyself. In 1990, Malaysia’s annual growth rate exceeded 8% and reached a stage of prosperity.
Personal Life:
Mahathir Mohamad married his classmate Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali in 1956. The couple has seven children three are adopted among them. She was the second woman who studied in Medicine in Singapore with a scholarship.