My struggle has always been for my race, country and religion - Dr Mahathir
Malaysia's longest-serving PM, Dr Mahathir, reflects at 100
FARAH SHAZWANI ALI , TUAN BUQHAIRAH TUAN MUHAMAD ADNAN , MUKHRIZ MAT HUSIN
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.
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.
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.
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