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Sinar Daily
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Sinar Daily
My struggle has always been for my race, country and religion
SHAH ALAM – As Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad turns 100 years old today, he stands not just as Malaysia's longest-serving Prime Minister, but as a figure whose enduring dedication to his race, religion and country continues to shape national discourse. At the threshold of a century, Dr Mahathir remains as defiant and reflective as ever. Dr Mahathir continues to stand tall as a symbol of distinguished leadership that remains untarnished by time. - Photo by ASRIL ASWANDI SHUKOR and HALIM WAHID/SINAR In an exclusive interview with Sinar, Malaysia's longest-serving Prime Minister opened up about the milestones, regrets and battles that have shaped his life and legacy. 'I still cannot believe I have reached 100. I thought I would pass away at 70 or 75. "Suddenly I am 99 and now 100. I can only say I am grateful and want to use whatever time I have left. "My struggle has always been for my race, my country and my religion. "That is all I think about, since I have been given time up to this age. Alhamdulillah, I am grateful,' he said. Dr Mahathir's political life spanned multiple eras. From becoming Prime Minister in 1981, spearheading Malaysia's rapid industrialisation, to returning in 2018 at age 92 and setting a Guinness World Record as the world's oldest elected head of government, his political comebacks remain historic. Though he resigned in 2002, his reentry into politics was driven by necessity, not ambition. 'Even though I wanted to retire, to step down and hope that the fight for the Malay people would continue, there were many problems. Many people came to me asking for help. What could I do? I could not avoid re-entering national politics, eventually forming a new party. 'I had hoped that when the party was formed, disappointed supporters of Umno would migrate to it. But they did not. Instead, they went to other parties. "That is why I was disappointed that even in the 14th General Election (GE14), Bersatu only won 13 seats. If we had won 30 to 40 seats, then Bersatu would have dominated Pakatan Harapan (PH), meaning PH would be Malay-led and that would have fulfilled the struggle," he said. When asked why he continues to stay active despite calls for retirement, Dr Mahathir was resolute. Age has not hindered his ability to think clearly, stay mobile and remain engaged. He posed a question to himself: if he is still alive, then what purpose should he serve? 'I have had enough. I have already been Prime Minister. There is nothing more for me. But I still believe that my struggle is not over. "It is the fight to save the Malays and the country. That is what I have to continue to do. If we are alive and do not have a purpose, what is the point of life?' he questioned. Dr Mahathir remains relevant as a reference point for academics and policymakers in exploring economic, technological and future directions, especially in the Asian region. -Photo by ASRIL ASWANDI SHUKOR and HALIM WAHID/SINAR A prolific writer throughout his life, Dr Mahathir said he preferred the written word to speech. He said that one can think deeply about what to record. If something is wrong, one can correct it. But if you speak, you cannot take it back. People will have already heard and judged that that is your view. Addressing his often-quoted phrase, 'Melayu mudah lupa,' Dr Mahathir clarified that Malays tend to forget they were once colonised, extremely poor, scorned and insulted. 'And now, when we are free from that, we forget the struggle it took to escape that shame. The future does not guarantee things will remain the same. "As it changed from colonialism to independence and development, the future might not always bring progress. Disasters might strike and we might be powerless to overcome them,' he said. Though he achieved much, Mahathir remains unsatisfied with the current state of affairs. He is disappointed because he said he can clearly see the threats in front of Malaysia. 'Yet, we act as if we are blind to it. We only want comfort. I've never felt tired. People still ask for my views. Why should I say I am too old to speak? If I have an opinion, I will express it," he said. If he had not become Prime Minister, Dr Mahathir said he still could not imagine a life outside of politics. When asked who was harder to manage, his wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah or Malaysia, he chuckled. 'There is no difference. Both are equally hard to manage,' he quipped. Dr Mahathir advised that men or husbands must listen to their wives. "Sometimes there are differences and tolerance is needed. 'We must accept that we cannot change their ways, just like they cannot change ours,' he said. As he looked back on 100 years, Dr Mahathir left behind not just political milestones but a personal testament to struggle, reflection and an unwavering belief in purposeful living. His journey, filled with high expectations, disappointments and resilience, remains interwoven with the story of Malaysia itself.
Malaysiakini
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
Dr M to launch big umbrella to 'save Malays'
Summary Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad is forming a Malay secretariat committee as a "big umbrella" to "save the Malays" by addressing issues affecting the community. The committee aims to return Malay-led government by focusing on Malay issues. PN is involved, but he claims it is non-partisan and that Umno is also free to join. In yet another bid to 'save the Malays' through returning political dominance, former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad yesterday announced the formation of a Malay secretariat committee as a 'big umbrella' for the community. This follows a meeting with several political leaders - including from Perikatan Nasional - to discuss the secretariat. Among those present were PN chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin, Bersatu deputy president Hamzah Zainudin, and PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man. Mahathir said the committee would serve as a platform to address issues affecting the Malay community that the current government had failed to resolve. 'We have agreed to focus on Malay issues—not party matters, but issues that concern all Malays. 'They (Malays) need fighters to champion their cause. Right now, they don't have a dedicated fighter. We're not concerned with other problems, we just want to focus on one struggle—the struggle to save the Malays,' he said during a press conference at the Perdana Leadership Foundation in Putrajaya. 'We know there are many problems faced by the Malays, and they can only be resolved if the government is once again led by Malays. That is why our struggle is to find a way to return to power, so we can address the problems faced by the Malays. 'We have agreed to form an informal movement, which we are calling the 'big umbrella', so that all Malays can be part of one group,' said the soon-to-be centenarian. When asked whether the movement would involve Umno, the main Malay-based party, Mahathir, who since his exit had led two splinter parties - Bersatu and Pejuang - said he was open to Umno members joining the struggle. 'Even if they are Umno members, if they agree with our cause, we will accept them,' he said.
Malaysiakini
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
Dr M to launch big umbrella to 'save Malays'
Summary Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad is forming a Malay secretariat committee as a "big umbrella" to "save the Malays" by addressing issues affecting the community. The committee aims to return Malay-led government by focusing on Malay issues. PN is involved, but he claims it is non-partisan and that Umno is also free to join. In yet another bid to 'save the Malays' through returning political dominance, former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad yesterday announced the formation of a Malay secretariat committee as a 'big umbrella' for the community. This follows a meeting with several political leaders - including from Perikatan Nasional - to discuss the secretariat. Among those present were PN chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin, Bersatu deputy president Hamzah Zainudin, and PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man. Mahathir said the committee would serve as a platform to address issues affecting the Malay community that the current government had failed to resolve. 'We have agreed to focus on Malay issues—not party matters, but issues that concern all Malays. 'They (Malays) need fighters to champion their cause. Right now, they don't have a dedicated fighter. We're not concerned with other problems, we just want to focus on one struggle—the struggle to save the Malays,' he said during a press conference at the Perdana Leadership Foundation in Putrajaya. 'We know there are many problems faced by the Malays, and they can only be resolved if the government is once again led by Malays. That is why our struggle is to find a way to return to power, so we can address the problems faced by the Malays. 'We have agreed to form an informal movement, which we are calling the 'big umbrella', so that all Malays can be part of one group,' said the soon-to-be centenarian. When asked whether the movement would involve Umno, the main Malay-based party, Mahathir, who since his exit had led two splinter parties - Bersatu and Pejuang - said he was open to Umno members joining the struggle. 'Even if they are Umno members, if they agree with our cause, we will accept them,' he said.
