Mahathir bin Mohamad is a prominent Malaysian politician, known for his extensive political career and important contributions to the country.
As the fourth and seventh Prime Minister of Malaysia, he served a total of 24 years, making him the longest-serving prime minister in the country’s history.
File
- Full name: Mahathir bin Mohamad
- Stage name: Mahathir Mohamad
- Date of birth: July 10, 1925
- Age: 99 years old
- Place of birth: Alor Setar, Malaysia
- Nationality: Malaysian
- Occupation: Politician
- Height: 1.7m
- Parents: Wan Tempawan Wan Hanapi and Mohamad Iskandar
- Siblings: Omar Mohamad, Mustaffa Mohamad, Murad Mohamad, Habsah Mohamad, Rafeah Mohamad, Mashahor Mohamad, Johora Mohamad and Mahadi Mohamad
- Spouse: Siti Hasmah
- Children: Mukhriz Mahathir, Marina Mahathir, Mokhzani Mahathir, Mirzan Mahathir, Mazhar Mahathir and Maizura Mahathir
- Relationship: Married
- Net worth: $45 billion
Early life and education
Mahathir bin Mohamad was born on 10 July 1925 in Alor Setar, Malaysia. He was raised by his parents Wan Tempawan Wan Hanapi and Mohamad Iskandar and had eight siblings: Omar Mohamad, Mustaffa Mohamad, Murad Mohamad, Habsah Mohamad, Rafeah Mohamad, Mashahor Mohamad, Johora Mohamad and Mahadi Mohamad.
Mahathir studied medicine at the King Edward VII Medical College in Singapore, then part of the University of Malaya, later renamed the University of Singapore. His ethnicity is Malay and his religion is Muslim.
Career
Mahathir entered politics during World War II, participating in protests and activism against the new citizenship policies implemented at the time. Later, Mahathir advocated affirmative action policies to support Malays’ access to medical school.
Tunku Abdul Rahman’s successor, Tun Abdul Razak, encouraged Mahathir to return to the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO). In 1973, Razak appointed Mahathir as a Senator for Kedah. Mahathir quickly rose through the ranks of Razak’s government, regaining his seat on the UMNO Supreme Council in 1973.
The following year, in 1974, Mahathir was appointed to the Cabinet as Minister of Education. He successfully ran for a seat in the House of Representatives in the 1974 election, winning the Kedah-based Kubang Pasu constituency unopposed.
Mahathir Mohamad was sworn in as Prime Minister of Malaysia on July 16, 1981, at the age of 56. One of his first acts upon taking office was to release 21 people detained under the country’s Internal Security Act.
The group included journalist Samad Ismail and former deputy minister Abdullah Ahmad, who is suspected of being an underground communist. Mahathir also appointed his close ally, Musa Hitam, as deputy prime minister.
Social media
Mahathir Mohamad has no social media accounts.
Personal life
Mahathir Mohamad, one of Malaysia’s most prominent political figures, married Siti Hasmah in 1956. The couple had six children together: Mukhriz Mahathir, Marina Mahathir, Mokhzani Mahathir, Mirzan Mahathir, Mazhar Mahathir and Maizura Mahathir. The Mahathir family lived as a close-knit unit, fostering a strong sense of unity and support.
Net worth
Mahathir Mohamad is a prominent Malaysian politician who has had a long and successful career in public service. Over the years, he has amassed an estimated net worth of $45 billion, making him one of the richest political figures in the world.
