Tun Mahathir at 100: Thank you for the Malaysia I grew up in

When I was twelve years old, I remember sitting cross-legged on the floor, eyes fixed on the television screen as Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, the man who had become almost synonymous with Malaysia, announced his resignation as Prime Minister.

I didn’t fully understand the gravity of what I was watching, but the moment stayed with me. It became part of my core memory.

Even as a child, I knew he was someone important, someone who shaped the Malaysia I was growing up in.

As I grew older, I began to understand the scale of his contributions. Growing up, there was a vision.. A target that once we reached adulthood, by the time I turned 30, Malaysia would have achieved something huge. The most anticipated one was flying cars.

Under Dr Mahathir's leadership, Malaysia experienced unprecedented transformation.

Wawasan 2020, his iconic vision for Malaysia to become a fully developed nation by the year 2020, was the heartbeat of his leadership. Although it was an ambitious goal, it set a clear target that inspired millions of Malaysians to work towards a shared dream.

From the introduction of the Look East Policy in the early 1980s that shifted our focus toward Japan and South Korea’s work ethics, to the rise of Proton, Malaysia’s first national car project, his vision wasn’t just about physical progress but also national pride and self-reliance.

I was proud to be part of that vision, quite literally. I began my internship at Petronas, based at none other than the Petronas Twin Towers, his brainchild and still one of the world’s most iconic skyscrapers.

Later, I worked in Cyberjaya, the "Silicon Valley of Malaysia", a futuristic township Dr Mahathir had envisioned as part of the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC), a bold leap into the digital age.

For me, these were not just places of work, they were physical monuments of one man’s dream for a modern, competitive Malaysia.

When I joined the media industry, I had the honour of meeting him several times. He was always sharp, well-read and articulate, even in his advanced years.

Ironically, during his unexpected and historic return to power in 2018, I was no longer in the newsroom.

I had moved to the telecommunications sector, an opportunity I appreciated, but quietly regretted because I missed the chance to report on a moment in history.

It was the moment when the oldest elected head of government in the world took office again at 92, ushering in Malaysia’s first ever change of federal government in the 14th General Election. Boy, I remember staying up until 3am for the election’s result, wishing that I was on the ground chasing the stories.

Dr Mahathir's second tenure might have been brief, but it was no less significant. His return was a proof to his enduring influence and a reminder that leadership isn't always about age, it’s about courage, conviction and service.

Now that I’m back in the media, I’ve had the chance to cross paths with him again. This time, the most meaningful encounter, though, wasn’t at a press conference or political event.

It was when I brought my two-year-old son to meet him during our in-house Karangkraf programme.

That moment meant more than I could ever express. Watching the man who led my country during my childhood gently place his hand on my son’s head, it felt like a generational baton being passed.

Watching the man who led my country during my childhood gently place his hand on my son’s head, it felt like a generational baton being passed.

For all his controversies and the differing opinions people may hold, Dr Mahathir holds a soft spot in my heart.

Not because I agree with every decision he made, but because he dared to dream big for this country.

He placed Malaysia on the global map with bold projects like Putrajaya, Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), the North-South Expressway and numerous educational and healthcare reforms.

He brought us economic progress, built institutions and inspired a generation to believe that Malaysia Boleh.

And truly, he proved that we could. Even when I travelled abroad, before the days of social media, if I said I was Malaysian, people would smile and say, “Oh! Mahathir!”

That global recognition came not from tourism ads or branding, but from the work and leadership of one man who carried Malaysia’s name with him.

As Dr Mahathir turns 100, I think of the legacy he leaves behind, not just in policies or skylines, but in the hearts of Malaysians who saw in him a mirror of our potential.

Happy 100th birthday, Tun. Thank you for the vision, the grit, and the memories. You will always be part of the story I tell my son about the Malaysia I grew up in and the one I still believe in.