View source for Mahathir Mohamad

{{Short description|Prime Minister of Malaysia (1981–2003, 2018–2020)}}
{{Malay name|Mahathir|Mohamad|note=on}}
{{Good article}}
{{EngvarB|date=November 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific-prefix    = [[Malay styles and titles#Honorary styles|Yang Amat Berbahagia]] [[Malay styles and titles#Tun|Tun]] [[Physician|Dr.]]
| native_name         = {{nobold|محاضر محمد}}
| native_name_lang    = ms-Arab
| honorific-suffix    = {{post-nominals|country=MYS|size=100|DK I (Johor)|DK (Kedah)|DK (Perlis)|DKNS|DK I (Brunei)|DUK|SMN|SPMJ|SPCM|SSDK|SSAP|SSMT|SPNS|DUPN|SPDK|DUNM|SBS|SUMW|DP|PIS|PCh}} {{post-nominals|country=SWE|size=100|KmstkNO}} {{post-nominals|country=PAK|size=100|NPk}}
| image               = Mahathir Mohamad 13112018 (cropped).jpg
| caption             = Mahathir in 2018
| alt                 = 
| order               = 4th & 7th
| office              = Prime Minister of Malaysia
| monarch             = {{plainlist|
* [[Muhammad V of Kelantan|Muhammad V]]
* [[Abdullah of Pahang|Abdullah]]
}}
| deputy              = [[Wan Azizah Wan Ismail]]
| term_start          = 10 May 2018
| term_end            = 24 February 2020 <br/> {{small|Interim: 24 February – 1 March 2020}}
| predecessor         = [[Najib Razak]]
| successor           = [[Muhyiddin Yassin]]
| deputy1             = {{plainlist|
* [[Musa Hitam]]
* [[Ghafar Baba]]
* [[Anwar Ibrahim]]
* [[Abdullah Ahmad Badawi]]
}}
| monarch1            = {{plainlist|
* [[Ahmad Shah of Pahang|Ahmad Shah]]
* [[Iskandar of Johor|Iskandar]]
* [[Azlan Shah of Perak|Azlan Shah]]
* [[Ja'afar of Negeri Sembilan|Ja'afar]]
* [[Salahuddin of Selangor|Salahuddin]]
* [[Sirajuddin of Perlis|Sirajuddin]]
}}
| term_start1         = 16 July 1981
| term_end1           = 31 October 2003
| predecessor1        = [[Hussein Onn]]
| successor1          = [[Abdullah Ahmad Badawi]]
{{collapsed infobox section begin|Political offices held|last=yes}}
{{Infobox officeholder|embed=yes
| office2             = 1st Chairman of the [[Homeland Fighter's Party]]
| president2          = [[Mukhriz Mahathir]]
| term_start2         = 12 August 2020
| term_end2           = 17 December 2022
| predecessor2        = ''Position established''
| successor2          = ''Position vacant''
| office3             = 1st Chairman of [[Pakatan Harapan]]
| president3          = Wan Azizah Wan Ismail
| term_start3         = 14 July 2017
| term_end3           = 24 February 2020
| predecessor3        = ''Position established''
| successor3          = Anwar Ibrahim
| office4             = Chairman of the [[Malaysian United Indigenous Party]]
| president4          = Muhyiddin Yassin
| term_start4         = 7 September 2016
| term_end4           = 28 May 2020{{#tag:ref|Disputed with Muhyiddin Yassin from 24 February to 28 May 2020|group=note}}
| predecessor4        = ''Position established''
| successor4          = Muhyiddin Yassin (acting)
| order5              = 5th
| office5             = President of the United Malays National Organisation
| deputy5             = {{plainlist|
* Musa Hitam
* Ghafar Baba
* Anwar Ibrahim
* Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
}}
| term_start5         = 28 June 1981
| term_end5           = 31 October 2003
| predecessor5        = Hussein Onn
| successor5          = Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
{{collapsed infobox section end}}}}
| office6             = Ministerial roles
| subterm6            = 1974–1978
| suboffice6          = [[Minister of Education (Malaysia)|Minister of Education]]
| subterm7            = 1976–1981
| suboffice7          = [[Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia|Deputy Prime Minister]]
| subterm8            = 1978–1981
| suboffice8          = [[Minister of Trade and Industry (Malaysia)|Minister of Trade and Industry]]
| subterm9            = 1981–1986
| suboffice9          = [[Minister of Defence (Malaysia)|Minister of Defence]]
| subterm10           = 1986–1999
| suboffice10         = [[Minister of Home Affairs (Malaysia)|Minister of Home Affairs]]
| subterm11           = 1998–1999
| suboffice11         = [[Minister of Finance (Malaysia)|Minister of Finance]]
| subterm12           = 2001–2003
| suboffice12         = Minister of Finance
| subterm13           = 2020
| suboffice13         = Acting Minister of Education
| office14            = Other roles
| subterm14           = 2003
| suboffice14         = [[Secretary-General of the Non-Aligned Movement]]
| birth_name          = Mahathir bin Mohamad
| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|1925|07|10|df=y}}
| birth_place         = [[Alor Setar]], Kedah, [[Unfederated Malay States]]
| death_date          = <!-- {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|1925|07|10}} -->
| death_place         = <!-- Malaysia -->
| nationality         = Malaysian
| party               = {{plainlist|
* [[UMNO]] (1946{{nbnd}}1969, 1972{{nbnd}}2008, 2009{{nbnd}}2016)
* [[BERSATU]] (2017{{nbnd}}2020)
* [[PEJUANG]] (2020{{nbnd}}2023)
* [[PUTRA]] (since 2023)
}}
| otherparty          = {{plainlist|
* [[Barisan Nasional|BN]] (1946{{nbnd}}1969, 1972{{nbnd}}2008, 2009{{nbnd}}2016)
* [[Pakatan Harapan|PH]] (2017{{nbnd}}2020)
* [[Gerakan Tanah Air|GTA]] (2022{{nbnd}}2023)
* [[Independent politician|Independent]] (1969{{nbnd}}1972, 2008{{nbnd}}2009, <!-- February–September --> 2016, <!-- May–August --> 2020, <!-- 10–25 February --> 2023)
}}
| father              = {{ill|Mohamad Iskandar|ms|Mohamad bin Iskandar}}
| mother              = Wan Tempawan Wan Hanapi
| spouse              = {{marriage|[[Hasmah Mohamad Ali]]|1956}}
| children            = 7, including [[Marina Mahathir|Marina]], [[Mokhzani Mahathir|Mokhzani]] and [[Mukhriz Mahathir|Mukhriz]]
| relatives           = [[Ismail Mohamed Ali]] (brother-in-law)
| education           = [[Sultan Abdul Hamid College]]
| alma_mater          = [[King Edward VII College of Medicine]] ([[Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery|MBBS]])
| profession          = 
| occupation          = {{hlist|Politician|author|doctor}}
| website             = {{URL|https://thechedet.com}}
| awards              = [[List of awards and honours received by Mahathir Mohamad|Full list]]
| signature           = Mahathir Mohamad signature.svg
| residence           = No. 58, [[Mines Resort City]], [[Seri Kembangan]], [[Selangor]], [[Malaysia]]
| module              = {{Listen 
 | pos = center 
 | embed = yes 
 | filename = Mahathir_Mohammad_Audio_Sample.ogg
 | title = Mahathir Mohamad's voice{{thinsp}}
 | type = speech 
 | description = Excerpt from a recording of Mahathir Mohamad's voice (15 July 1995)}}
}}

{{Mahathir Mohamad sidebar}}
'''Mahathir bin Mohamad''' ({{langx|ms-Arab|محاضر بن محمد|label=[[Jawi alphabet|Jawi]]}};<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bernama.com/v2/ar/news.php?id=2092708|title=Mahathir Mohamad: Malaysia needs more competitive investment policies|language=arabic|date=20 June 2022|work=Malaysia National News Agency (Bernama) – Arabic|access-date=31 October 2022|archive-date=30 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221030123349/https://www.bernama.com/v2/ar/news.php?id=2092708|url-status=live}}</ref> {{IPA-ms|mahaðɪ(r)  bɪn mohamad|IPA}}; born 10 July 1925) is a Malaysian<!-- DO NOT LINK, see [[MOS:OVERLINK]] for further guidance --> politician, author, and doctor who served as the fourth and seventh [[Prime Minister of Malaysia]] from 1981 to 2003 and from 2018 to 2020. With a cumulative tenure of 24 years, he holds the record as the longest-serving prime minister in the nation's history.

Before becoming premier, he served as [[Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia|Deputy Prime Minister]] and in other [[Cabinet of Malaysia|cabinet]] positions. He was a [[Member of Parliament (Malaysia)|Member of Parliament]] for [[Langkawi (federal constituency)|Langkawi]] from 2018 to 2022, [[Kubang Pasu (federal constituency)|Kubang Pasu]] from 1974 to 2004, and [[Kota Star Selatan]] from 1964 to 1969. His political career spanned more than 78 years, from joining protests opposing citizenship policies for non-Malays in the [[Malayan Union]] in the 1940s to forming the [[Gerakan Tanah Air]] coalition in 2022. He was granted the soubriquet Father of Modernisation (Bapa Pemodenan) for his pivotal role in transforming the country's economy and infrastructure.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-06-17 |title=Tun M, Father of Modern Malaysia |url=https://www.nst.com.my/lifestyle/sunday-vibes/2018/06/380669/tun-m-father-modern-malaysia |website=New Straits Times}}</ref> At the age of 99, he is currently the oldest living former Malaysian prime minister.

<!--Early life, Early political career, Rise to prominence-->
Born and raised in [[Alor Setar]], Kedah, Mahathir excelled in his studies and pursued a career in medicine, becoming a physician. His involvement in politics began when he joined the [[United Malays National Organisation]] (UMNO), Malaysia's leading political party advocating Malay interests. His dedication to the party led him to enter the [[parliament of Malaysia]] in the [[1964 Malaysian general election|1964 general election]], where he served one term before losing his seat. His relationship with the then-Prime Minister, [[Tunku Abdul Rahman]], deteriorated, leading to his expulsion from UMNO. During his time outside the party, Mahathir published his book ''[[The Malay Dilemma]]'' in 1970, a work that explored the socio-political and economic challenges facing the Malay community and drew significant attention for its bold views. After Tunku Abdul Rahman's resignation, Mahathir rejoined UMNO and regained his seat in parliament. His political ascent continued as he was appointed [[Minister of Education (Malaysia)|Minister of Education]] from 1974 to 1978. He subsequently became [[Minister of Trade and Industry (Malaysia)|Minister of Trade and Industry]] from 1978 to 1981, promoting industrialization to strengthen the national economy. In 1976, he advanced to the position of deputy prime minister, and in 1981, he was sworn in as prime minister, embarking on a historic tenure that would span 22 years and transform Malaysia's political and economic landscape.

<!--First term-->
During Mahathir's first tenure, Malaysia underwent modernisation and [[Economic history of Malaysia|economic growth]] when his government initiated widespread industry [[privatisation]] and a series of bold infrastructure projects. Under his leadership, Malaysia transformed from being an agricultural country to a modern, industrial nation. Between 1988 and 1996, Malaysia experienced an 8 percent economic growth rate, during which Mahathir introduced an economic plan, known as The Way Forward or [[Wawasan 2020|Vision 2020]], aiming for the country to achieve fully developed nation status by 2020. Mahathir was a dominating political figure, winning five consecutive general elections and fending off rivals for UMNO's leadership. He continued pro-[[Bumiputera (Malaysia)|''bumiputera'']] policies, and oversaw Malaysia's relatively fast recovery from the [[1997 Asian financial crisis]]. Critics argue that he centralized power by [[1988 Malaysian constitutional crisis|undermining judicial independence]] and supported a [[1993 amendments to the Constitution of Malaysia|constitutional amendment]] to remove [[legal immunity]] for [[Monarchies of Malaysia|royalty]]. In 1987, he detained various activists and religious figures under [[Operation Lalang]], and in 1998, had his deputy [[Anwar Ibrahim sodomy trials|Anwar Ibrahim]] arrested. His record of authoritarianism and curtailment of [[civil liberties]] strained relationships with the [[Western world|West]]. As prime minister, he was an advocate of [[Asian values]] and [[development model]]s, and was particularly prominent across the [[Muslim world]]. 

<!--Interim years, Return to politics, Second premiership, Post-premiership-->
In 2002, Mahathir announced his intention to resign as Prime Minister, officially stepping down in 2003 after 22 years in office, but remained politically influential and was critical of his successors. Mahathir also served as the Chancellor of [[Universiti Teknologi Petronas]] (UTP) from 2004 to 2016. He quit UMNO over the [[1MDB corruption scandal]] in 2016, joining [[BERSATU]] and leading the [[Pakatan Harapan]] opposition coalition to victory in the [[2018 Malaysian general election|2018 general election]]. During [[Second premiership of Mahathir Mohamad|his second tenure]], he pledged to investigate the 1MDB scandal, combat corruption, and cut spending on large infrastructure projects. He also secured the pardon and release of [[Anwar Ibrahim]]. Mahathir resigned in 2020 amidst [[2020–2022 Malaysian political crisis|a political crisis]]. Despite losing his parliamentary seat in the [[2022 Malaysian general election|2022 general election]], he remained active in politics and shifted party affiliation several times.

<!--Political positions and views-->
[[Political positions of Mahathir Mohamad|Mahathir's political views]] have shifted throughout his life, and are shaped by his [[Early Malay nationalism|Malay nationalism]] and [[Islam in Malaysia|Islamic religious beliefs]]. Initially, he was aligned with [[Third-Worldism]] in the 1980s and later advocated for "[[Asian values]]" and [[globalization]]. He has consistently maintained [[Political aspects of Islam|Islamic political views]] throughout his political career. He is revered in [[Developing country|developing]] and [[Muslim world|Islamic nations]] for [[Economic history of Malaysia#Tiger economy|Malaysia's economic progress]] and support of [[Liberalism and progressivism within Islam|liberal Muslim values]]. He also champions [[Early Malay nationalism|Malay nationalism]], although he has evolved from supporting "''[[Ketuanan Melayu]]''" to advocating a "[[Bangsa Malaysia]]" that [[Cultural assimilation|assimilates]] [[Demographics of Malaysia#Ethnolinguistic groups|non-Malays]] into [[Malay culture]], strictly [[Criticism of multiculturalism|rejecting multiculturalism]]. He criticizes [[neoliberalism]] and [[Western culture|Western influence]], controversially suggesting that the [[9/11 conspiracy theories|US government was involved in the 9/11 attacks]] and [[List of conspiracy theories#Economics and society|a group of international elites control every aspects of life]]{{#tag:ref|Governments, industries, finance, military, media organizations, etc.|group=note}} with the aim of [[New World Order (conspiracy theory)|establishing global hegemony]]. He has also been accused of [[antisemitism]] for [[International Jewish conspiracy#Malaysia|his comments]], which include stereotypes about [[Economic antisemitism|Jews' financial skills]] and [[Antisemitic trope#Controlling the media|media control]]. On environmental issues, he criticizes the [[Global North]] countries for "[[Ecological imperialism|eco-imperialism]]" and defends [[Palm oil production in Malaysia|Malaysia's palm oil industry]] as sustainable, despite [[Social and environmental impact of palm oil|international scrutiny]] linking it to [[deforestation]].

==Early life and education==
[[File:Tun Dr M house-zamwan.jpg|thumb|Mahathir's birthplace in [[Alor Setar]]|left|upright|200x200px]]
Mahathir was born at his parents' home in a poor neighbourhood at Lorong Kilang Ais, [[Alor Setar]], in the capital of the Malay sultanate of [[Kedah]] under a [[Unfederated Malay States|British protectorate]], on 10 July 1925.<ref name="Wain8">{{Harvnb|Wain|2010|p=8}}</ref>{{#tag:ref|Mahathir's birth certificate gives his date of birth as 20 December. He was actually born on 10 July; his biographer Barry Wain explains that 20 December was an "arbitrary" date chosen by Mahathir's father for official purposes.<ref name="Wain8"/>|group=note}} Mahathir's mother, Wan Tempawan Wan Hanapi, was a [[Malays (ethnic group)|Malay]] from Kedah. His father, Mohamad Iskandar, was from [[Penang]] of Malay and [[Malaysian Indians|Indian]] descent.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lim |first=Ida |date=24 August 2024 |title=Dr Mahathir: I'm not ashamed to say I have some Indian blood, but I'm Malay |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2024/08/27/dr-mahathir-im-not-ashamed-to-say-i-have-some-indian-blood-but-im-malay/ |access-date=27 August 2024 |work=Malay Mail}}</ref> Mahathir's paternal grandfather had come from [[Kerala]], [[British Raj|British India]]. He was the first [[Prime Minister of Malaysia|prime minister]] that was not born into the aristocracy or a prominent religious or political family.<ref>{{Harvnb|Wain|2010|pp=5–6}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F30D17F738540C718CDDA80994DB404482|title=New Malaysian Leader's Style Stirs Optimism|last=Perlez|first=Jane|date=2 November 2003|work=[[New York Times]]|access-date=12 January 2011}}</ref> Mohamad Iskandar was the principal of an [[English-medium education|English-medium]] secondary school, whose lower-middle-class status meant his daughters were unable to enrol in a secondary school. Wan Tempawan had only distant relations to members of Kedah's royalty. Both had been married previously. Mahathir was born with six half-siblings and two full-siblings.<ref name="Wain4-5">{{Harvnb|Wain|2010|pp=4–5}}</ref> His childhood home, with a single shared bedroom and no electricity supply, was later converted to a tourist attraction and opened to the public.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mahathir's Birthplace or 'Rumah Kelahiran Mahathir' |url=https://www.malaysia.travel/en/ay/places/states-of-malaysia/kedah/mahathirs-birthplace-or-rumah-kelahiran-mahathir |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190728200336/http://www.malaysia.travel/en/ay/places/states-of-malaysia/kedah/mahathirs-birthplace-or-rumah-kelahiran-mahathir |archive-date=28 July 2019 |access-date=15 February 2020 |website=[[Tourism Malaysia]]}}</ref><ref name=":11">{{Cite web |last=Alan Teh |first=Leam Seng |date=30 August 2018 |title=GO: Birthplace of Dr. M |url=https://www.nst.com.my/lifestyle/jom/2018/08/406327/go-birthplace-dr-m |url-status=live |access-date=20 August 2023 |website=[[New Straits Times]] |archive-date=5 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230805195544/https://www.nst.com.my/lifestyle/jom/2018/08/406327/go-birthplace-dr-m }}</ref>

[[File:Mahathir Mohamad in his schooldays, 1939.jpg|180px|thumb|Mahathir with his [[School uniforms in Malaysia|poor school uniform]] in his schooldays, circa 1939|left|upright]]
Mahathir began his education at Seberang Perak Malay Boys School, [[Alor Setar|Alor Setar, Kedah]] in 1930.<ref name=":11" /> Mahathir was a hard-working student. Discipline imposed by his father motivated him to study, and he showed little interest in sports. Having become fluent in English well ahead of his primary school peers, including editing the English student newspaper and winning a series of language awards,<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |date=30 November 2000 |title=The Spokesman: Mahathir Mohamad |url=http://edition.cnn.com/ASIANOW/asiaweek/95/20greats/mahathir.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230805165816/http://edition.cnn.com/ASIANOW/asiaweek/95/20greats/mahathir.html |archive-date=5 August 2023 |access-date=5 August 2023 |website=[[Asiaweek]]}}</ref> he won a position in a [[Selective school|selective]] English-medium secondary school [[Kolej Sultan Abdul Hamid|Government English School]] in 1933.<ref name=":11" /><ref>{{Harvnb|Wain|2010|pp=6–7}}</ref> With schools closed during the [[Japanese occupation of Malaya]] in [[World War II]], he started a small business, selling coffee and snacks such as ''[[pisang goreng]]'' (banana fritters).<ref name="Wain8" />

After the war, Mahathir graduated from secondary school with the highest rank and enrolled to study [[medicine]] at the [[King Edward VII College of Medicine]] in [[Singapore in the Straits Settlements|Singapore]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Wain|2010|pp=10&ndash;12}}</ref> Mahathir studied medicine at what was then called University of Malaya, later renamed [[University of Singapore]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Gauhar |first1=Altaf |last2=Mohamad |first2=Mahathir |date=1986 |title=Mahathir Mohamad |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/3991559 |journal=Third World Quarterly |volume=8 |issue=1 |pages=1–15 |doi=10.1080/01436598608419886 |jstor=3991559 |issn=0143-6597 |access-date=5 August 2023 |archive-date=5 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230805163814/https://www.jstor.org/stable/3991559 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription }}</ref> When the university granted him an honorary degree in November 2018, he said "I will always value my stay in Singapore for nearly six years."<ref name="nus">{{cite news |last=Yusof |first=Amir |date=13 November 2018 |title=NUS confers honorary degree on Malaysia's PM Mahathir |work=[[Channel NewsAsia]] |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/nus-honorary-degree-mahathir-siti-hasmah-10924728 |url-status=live |access-date=16 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181128101543/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/nus-honorary-degree-mahathir-siti-hasmah-10924728 |archive-date=28 November 2018}}</ref>

[[File:Mahathir Mohamad and Siti Hasmah.jpg|180px|thumb|Mahathir and Hasmah in 1953, graduating from [[University of Malaya]] (present-day [[National University of Singapore]], resulting after [[Singapore in Malaysia#Separation|Expulsion of Singapore from Malaysia]]) in Singapore.|left]]
Mahathir married [[Hasmah Mohamad Ali|Hasmah]] in 1956, the two having met in medical college. He returned to Alor Setar in 1957 to establish his practice, Maha Clinic.<ref name=":11" /> He was the town's first Malay physician and a successful one. He built a large house, invested in various businesses, and employed a Chinese man to [[chauffeur]] him in his [[Pontiac Catalina]] (most chauffeurs at the time were Malay).<ref>{{Harvnb|Wain|2010|pp=11&ndash;13}}</ref><ref name="time_beech_p2">{{cite news|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1552090-1,00.html|title=Not the Retiring Type|last=Beech|first=Hannah|date=29 October 2006|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|access-date=4 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121213165611/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1552090-1,00.html|archive-date=13 December 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Early political career (1959–1970)==
After [[World War II]] ended and the [[Imperial Japanese Armed Forces|Japanese]] withdrew, the [[British Malaya|British]] grouped the Malay states and the [[Straits Settlements]] into the [[Malayan Union]], and granted citizenship to non-Malays. This caused major backlash from [[Malaysian Malays|Malays]] and a wave of [[Early Malay nationalism|Malay nationalism]] swept across the country. Mahathir became politically activated by these changes, joining protests and activism against the new citizenship policies.<ref>{{Harvnb|Wain|2010|p=9}}</ref> Mahathir later argued for [[affirmative action]] for Malays at medical college. While at college, he contributed to ''[[The Straits Times]]'' under the pseudonym "C.H.E. Det" and a student journal, in which he fiercely promoted Malay rights, such as calling for the restoration of [[Malay language|Malay]] as an official language.<ref name="Wain 11–13">{{Harvnb|Wain|2010|pp=11–13}}</ref> While practising as a physician in Alor Setar, Mahathir became active in UMNO. By the time of the [[1959 Malayan general election|first general election]] for the independent state of [[Federation of Malaya|Malaya]] in 1959, he was the chairman of the party in Kedah.<ref>{{Harvnb|Wain|2010|p=19}}</ref>

Despite his prominence in UMNO, Mahathir was not a candidate in the [[1959 Malayan general election|1959 election]], ruling himself out following a disagreement with then Prime Minister [[Tunku Abdul Rahman]]. Their relationship had been strained since Mahathir had criticised Tunku's agreement to [[Anglo-Malayan Defence Agreement|retain British and Commonwealth forces]] in Malaya after independence. Tunku opposed Mahathir's plans to introduce minimum educational qualifications for UMNO candidates. For Mahathir, this was a significant enough slight to delay his entry into national politics in protest. He contested in the following [[1964 Malaysian general election|general election]] in 1964, and was elected as the federal parliamentarian for the Alor Setar-based seat of [[Kota Star Selatan (federal constituency)|Kota Setar Selatan]].<ref name="Wain 18-19">{{Harvnb|Wain|2010|pp=18–19}}</ref>

Elected to parliament in a volatile political period, Mahathir, as a [[backbencher]], launched himself into the main conflict of the day: [[Singapore]]'s future, with its large and economically powerful [[Chinese Singaporeans|ethnic Chinese population]], [[Singapore in Malaysia|as a state of Malaysia]].{{What|date=November 2024}} He vociferously attacked Singapore's dominant [[People's Action Party]] for being "pro-Chinese" and "anti-Malay" and called its leader, [[Lee Kuan Yew]], "arrogant". Singapore was [[Independence of Singapore Agreement 1965|expelled from Malaysia]] in Mahathir's first full year in parliament.<ref name="Wain 18-19" /><ref>{{Harvnb|Morais|1982|p=22}}</ref> Despite Mahathir's prominence, he lost his seat in the [[1969 Malaysian general election|1969 election]], defeated by [[Yusof Rawa]] of the [[Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party]] (PAS).<ref name="tan_51">Tan & Vasil, p. 51</ref> Mahathir attributed the loss of his seat to ethnic Chinese voters switching support from UMNO to PAS. Being a Malay-dominated seat, only the two major Malay parties fielded candidates, leaving Chinese voters to choose between the Malay-centric UMNO and the Islamist PAS.<ref name="Wain 28">{{Harvnb|Wain|2010|p=28}}</ref>

Large government losses in the election were followed by the [[May 13 Incident|race riots of 13 May 1969]]. Hundreds of people were killed in clashes between Malays and Chinese. In 1968, Mahathir had expressed concern over escalating racial tensions in two newspaper articles, and feared preventative measures would be needed to avoid violence. Outside parliament, he openly criticised the government, also sending an open dissenting letter to Tunku for failing to uphold Malay interests and calling for his resignation.<ref>{{Harvnb|Wain|2010|p=26}}</ref> By the end of the year, Mahathir was fired from UMNO's Supreme Council and expelled from the party. Tunku had to be persuaded not to have him arrested.<ref name="tan_51" /><ref name="Wain 28" />

[[File:Tunku Abdul Rahman and Mahathir Mohamad.jpg|thumb|Feud of Mahathir and Tunku, resuting in his expulsion from UMNO.]]
Expelled from UMNO, Mahathir wrote his first book, ''[[The Malay Dilemma]]'', in which he set out his vision for the Malay community. The book argued that a balance had to be achieved between government support for Malays, so that their economic interests would not be dominated by the Chinese, and exposing Malays to sufficient competition. Mahathir saw Malays as typically avoiding hard work and failing to "appreciate the real value of money and property", and hoped this balance would rectify this.<ref>{{Harvnb|Wain|2010|pp=29–30}}</ref> Mahathir criticised Tunku's government in the book, which led to it being [[Book ban|banned]] in Malaysia. The ban was only lifted in 1981 under Mahathir's premiership.<ref name="tan_51" /><ref>{{Harvnb|Morais|1982|p=26}}</ref> Academics R. S. Milne and Diane K. Mauzy argue that Mahathir's relentless attacks were the principal cause of Tunku Abdul Rahman's downfall and subsequent resignation as prime minister in 1970.<ref name="Wain 25">{{Harvnb|Milne & Mauzy|1999|p=25}}</ref>

==Rise to prominence (1970–1981)==
Tunku's successor [[Abdul Razak Hussein]] encouraged Mahathir to return to UMNO and appointed him [[Members of the Dewan Negara, 3rd Malaysian Parliament|Senator for Kedah]] in 1973.<ref>{{Harvnb|Morais|1982|p=27}}</ref> Mahathir rose quickly in the [[Second Razak cabinet|Abdul Razak government]], returning to UMNO's Supreme Council in 1973. He was appointed to Cabinet in 1974 as the [[Minister of Education (Malaysia)|Minister for Education]]. He returned to the [[Dewan Rakyat|House of Representatives]] in the [[1974 Malaysian general election|1974 election]], winning the Kedah-based seat of [[Kubang Pasu (federal constituency)|Kubang Pasu]] unopposed.<ref name="tan_51" /> One of his first acts as Minister for Education was to introduce greater government control over [[Universities in Malaysia|Malaysia's universities]], despite strong opposition from the academic community.<ref>{{Harvnb|Morais|1982|pp=28–29}}</ref> He moved to limit politics on university campuses, giving his ministry the power to discipline students and academics who were politically active and making scholarships for students conditional on the avoidance of politics.<ref name="Wain 39">{{Harvnb|Wain|2010|p=39}}</ref>

In 1975, Mahathir ran for one of the three vice-presidencies of UMNO. The contest was regarded as a struggle for the party's leadership succession, as the health of Abdul Razak and his deputy, [[Hussein Onn]], waned. Each of Abdul Razak's preferred candidates was elected: former Chief Minister of Melaka, [[Ghafar Baba]]; [[Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah]], a wealthy businessman and member of [[Kelantan]]'s royal family; and Mahathir. When Razak died the following year, Hussein, as his successor, had to choose between the three men, alongside the Minister of Home Affairs [[Ghazali Shafie]], to be deputy prime minister.<ref name="Milne & Mauzy 1999 27–28">{{Harvnb|Milne & Mauzy|1999|pp=27–28}}</ref><ref name="Wain 2010 33–34">{{Harvnb|Wain|2010|pp=33–34}}</ref>

Mahathir's rivals had significant political liabilities: Ghazali, having been defeated by the others for a vice-presidency, lacked the support of UMNO members. Ghafar had no higher education and was not fluent in English. Razaleigh was young, inexperienced and unmarried. However, Hussein and Mahathir were not close allies, and Hussein knew Mahathir's choice would displease Abdul Razak. After six weeks of indecision, Mahathir was, much to his surprise, appointed as Hussein's deputy. The appointment meant that Mahathir was the anointed successor to the prime ministership.<ref name="Milne & Mauzy 1999 27–28"/><ref name="Wain 2010 33–34"/>

Mahathir is regarded as having been a successful Minister for Education and then Minister for Trade and Industry (1978–81).<ref name="Wain 25"/> In the latter post, he implemented a "heavy industries policy", establishing a [[DRB-HICOM|HICOM]], a government-controlled corporation, to invest in the long-term development of manufacturing sectors such as an indigenous car industry.<ref>{{Harvnb|Milne & Mauzy|1999|p=64}}</ref> He spent much of his time in the ministry promoting Malaysia through overseas visits.<ref name="Wain 39"/>

Mahathir did not have much influence as deputy prime minister. Hussein was a cautious leader who rejected many of Mahathir's bold policy proposals, such as a freeway the length of [[Peninsular Malaysia]] and heavy industries cooperation. Hussein remained distant from Mahathir while keeping Ghazali and Razaleigh as his close advisors, who often outmanoeuvred Mahathir to reach Hussein. Nonetheless, when Hussein relinquished power due to ill health in 1981, Mahathir succeeded him unopposed and with his blessing.<ref>{{Harvnb|Wain|2010|pp=38–40}}</ref>

==First term as prime minister (1981–2003)==

=== Early years (1981–1987) ===
[[File:Mahathir 1984.jpg|thumb|Mahathir on a [[state visit]] to the [[United States]] in 1984]]
Mahathir was sworn in as prime minister on 16 July 1981, at the age of 56.<ref name="Wain 40">{{Harvnb|Wain|2010|p=40}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Malaysia's fourth Premier sworn in |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/multimedia/graphics/assets/images/ST175/NewspaperSG/1981-07-17/full.jpg |website=[[The Straits Times]] |access-date=12 August 2023 |date=17 July 1981 |archive-date=12 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230812120610/https://www.straitstimes.com/multimedia/graphics/assets/images/ST175/NewspaperSG/1981-07-17/full.jpg |url-status=live }}</ref> He was the first commoner to hold that office. In an interview, Mahathir remarked that major power rivalry in [[Southeast Asia]] is dangerous, but "on the other hand, a lack of U.S. interest is also problematic. It creates the impression that [[Russia]] can act as it pleases."<ref>{{Cite web |date=1981-07-16 |title=New prime minister in Malaysia |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1981/07/16/New-prime-minister-in-Malaysia/1323364104000/ |access-date= |website=UPI |language=en}}</ref> One of his first acts was to release 21 detainees held under the [[Internal Security Act 1960|Internal Security Act]]. This included journalist [[Abdul Samad Ismail|Samad Ismail]] and [[Abdullah Ahmad]], who was a former deputy minister in the former government but was suspected of being an underground [[Communism in Malaysia|communist]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Wain|2010|p=38}}</ref> He appointed [[Musa Hitam]] as deputy prime minister.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.economist.com/node/2172673?story_id=2172673|title=The exotic doctor calls it a day|date=3 November 2003|newspaper=The Economist|access-date=4 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022231310/http://www.economist.com/node/2172673?story_id=2172673|archive-date=22 October 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>

Mahathir exercised caution in his first two years in power,{{what|date=November 2024}} consolidating UMNO's leadership and, with victory in the [[1982 Malaysian general election|1982 general election]], the government.<ref>{{Harvnb|Milne & Mauzy|1999|p=28}}</ref><ref>{{Harvnb|Sankaran & Hamdan|1988|pp=18–20}}</ref> In 1983, Mahathir undertook one of the first challenges he had with [[Monarchies of Malaysia|Malaysia's royalty]]. The position of [[Yang di-Pertuan Agong]], the Malaysian head of state, was due to rotate into either the elderly [[Idris Shah II of Perak|Idris Shah II]] of [[Sultan of Perak|Perak]] or the controversial [[Iskandar of Johor]], who had only a few years earlier been convicted of manslaughter. Mahathir had grave reservations about the two Sultans, who were both activist rulers of their own states.<ref>{{Harvnb|Milne & Mauzy|1999|pp=30–31}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Branigin |first=William |date=29 December 1992 |title=Malaysia's Monarchs of Mayhem; Accused of Murder and More, Sultans Rule Disloyal Subjects |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1992/12/29/malaysias-monarchs-of-mayhem/25a4fb98-e873-4c7f-ba62-65e9cd6e32b2/ |access-date=21 August 2023 |archive-date=28 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191228113904/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1992/12/29/malaysias-monarchs-of-mayhem/25a4fb98-e873-4c7f-ba62-65e9cd6e32b2/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Mahathir tried to pre-emptively limit the power that the new Agong could wield over his government. He introduced to parliament amendments to the [[Constitution of Malaysia|Constitution]] to deem the Agong to [[Royal assent|assent]] to any bill that had not been assented within 15 days of passage by Parliament. The proposal removed the power to declare a [[state of emergency]] from the Agong and placed it with the prime minister. The Agong at the time, [[Ahmad Shah of Pahang]], agreed with the proposals in principle, but baulked when he realised that the proposal would deem Sultans to assent to laws passed by state assemblies. Supported by the Sultans, the Agong refused to assent to the constitutional amendments, which had passed both houses of Parliament with comfortable majorities.<ref>{{Harvnb|Milne & Mauzy|1999|p=32}}</ref><ref>{{Harvnb|Wain|2010|pp=203–205}}</ref>

When the public became aware of the impasse, and the Sultans refused to compromise with the government, Mahathir took to the streets to demonstrate public support for his position in mass rallies. The press took the side of the government. A large minority of Malays, including conservative UMNO politicians, and an even larger proportion of the Chinese community supported the Sultans. After five months, the crisis was resolved, as Mahathir and the Sultans agreed to a compromise. The Agong retained the power to declare a state of emergency. However, if he refused to assent to a bill, the bill would return to Parliament, which could then override Agong's veto.<ref>{{Harvnb|Wain|2010|pp=206–207}}</ref>
{{stack|[[File:1989_Proton_Saga_(Magma)_1.3S_4-door_saloon_(19831439991).jpg|thumb|A 1989 model of the [[Proton Saga]]. Mahathir believed that an [[automotive industry]] could help turn Malaysia into becoming an [[Developed country|industrial nation]]. His government used tariffs to support the development of the [[Proton (automobile)|Proton]] as a Malaysian-made car and limited capital outflow of the [[ringgit]] to foreign countries.|alt=The 2012 [[Proton Prevé]]]]}}

On the economic front, Mahathir inherited the [[Malaysian New Economic Policy|New Economic Policy]] from his predecessors, which was designed to improve the economic position of the [[Bumiputera (Malaysia)|bumiputera]]—Malaysia's Malays and [[Orang Asli|Indigenous peoples]]—via targets and affirmative action in areas such as corporate ownership and university admission.<ref>{{Harvnb|Milne & Mauzy|1999|pp=51–54}}</ref> Like many of his [[Economic liberalism|economic liberal]] contemporaries such as [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|British prime minister]] [[Margaret Thatcher]], Mahathir actively pursued [[privatisation]] of government enterprises from the early 1980s. Mahathir believed this would provide economic opportunities for bumiputera and their businesses.<ref>{{Harvnb|Milne & Mauzy|1999|p=56}}</ref> His government privatised [[List of airlines of Malaysia|airlines]], utilities and [[Telecommunications in Malaysia|telecommunication firms]], accelerating to a rate of about 50 privatisations a year by the mid-1990s.<ref>{{Harvnb|Milne & Mauzy|1999|p=57}}</ref>

While privatisation generally improved the working conditions of Malaysians in privatised industries and raised significant revenue for the government, many privatisations occurred in the absence of open tendering processes and benefited Malays who supported UMNO. One of the most notable infrastructure projects at the time was the construction of the [[North–South Expressway (Malaysia)|North–South Expressway]], a motorway running from the Thai border to Singapore. The contract to construct the expressway was awarded to a business venture of UMNO.<ref>{{Harvnb|Milne & Mauzy|1999|pp=57–59}}</ref> Mahathir oversaw the establishment of the car manufacturer [[Proton (carmaker)|Proton]] as a joint venture between the Malaysian government and [[Mitsubishi]]. By the end of the 1980s, with the support of protective [[tariff]]s, Proton became a profitable enterprise and the largest carmaker in [[Southeast Asia]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Wain|2010|pp=97–98}}</ref>

In Mahathir's early years as prime minister, Malaysia experienced a resurgence of [[Islam in Malaysia|Islam]] and [[Conservatism in Malaysia|conservatism]] among Malays. PAS, which had joined UMNO in government in the 1970s, responded to the resurgence by taking an increasingly strident [[Islamism|Islamist]] stand under the leadership of [[Yusof Rawa]]. Mahathir tried to appeal to religious voters by establishing Islamic institutions such as the [[International Islamic University of Malaysia]] which could promote Islamic education under government oversight.<ref name="Milne & Mauzy 1999 80–89">{{Harvnb|Milne & Mauzy|1999|pp=80–89}}</ref>

He managed to draw [[Anwar Ibrahim]], the leader of the [[Malaysian Islamic Youth Movement]] (ABIM), into the ranks of UMNO. In some cases, Mahathir's government employed repression against more extreme exponents of Islamism. [[Ibrahim Libya]], a popular Islamist leader, was killed in a [[Memali Incident|police shoot-out]] in 1985. [[Al-Arqam]], a religious sect, was banned, and its leader, [[Ashaari Mohammad]], was arrested under the [[Internal Security Act 1960|Internal Security Act]].<ref name="Milne & Mauzy 1999 80–89"/> Mahathir comprehensively defeated PAS at the polls in [[1986 Malaysian general election|1986]], winning 83 seats of the 84 seats it contested, leaving PAS with just one [[Member of Parliament (Malaysia)|Member of Parliament]] (MP).<ref>{{Harvnb|Sankaran & Hamdan|1988|p=50}}</ref>

=== Power struggles (1987–1990) ===
In 1987, [[Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah]], who had been demoted from [[Minister of Finance (Malaysia)|Finance Minister]] to [[Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry (Malaysia)|Trade and Industry Minister]], [[1987 United Malays National Organisation leadership election|challenged Mahathir for UMNO's presidency]], and effectively the prime ministership. Razaleigh's bid was supported by Musa, who had resigned as deputy prime minister the previous year. While once close allies with Mahathir, both fell out with Musa claiming that Mahathir no longer trusted him. Razaleigh and Musa ran for the UMNO presidency and deputy presidency on a joint ticket against Mahathir and his new choice for deputy [[Abdul Ghafar Baba]].<ref name="Milne & Mauzy 1999 40–43">{{Harvnb|Milne & Mauzy|1999|pp=40–43}}</ref><ref name="Crossette">{{cite news|url=https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FB071EFC3A580C748CDDAB0894D0484D81|title=Malay Party Ruled Illegal, Spurring Conflicts|last=Crossette|first=Barbara|date=7 February 1988|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=5 February 2011|archive-date=19 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200519220158/https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FB071EFC3A580C748CDDAB0894D0484D81&legacy=true&status=nf|url-status=live}}</ref>

Mahathir's Team A enjoyed the press's support, most party heavyweights, and even Iskandar, now the Agong. However, other prominent figures such as [[Abdullah Ahmad Badawi]] supported Team B. In the election, held on 24 April 1987, Team A prevailed. Mahathir was re-elected by a narrow margin, receiving the votes of 761 party delegates to Razaleigh's 718. Ghafar defeated Musa by a slightly larger margin. Mahathir responded by purging seven Team B supporters from his ministry. At the same time, Team B refused to accept defeat and initiated litigation. In an unexpected decision in February 1988, the [[High Courts of Malaysia|High Courts]] ruled that UMNO was an illegal organisation as some of its branches had not been lawfully registered.<ref name="Milne & Mauzy 1999 40–43"/><ref name="Crossette"/>

Each faction raced to register a new party under the UMNO name. Mahathir's side successfully registered the name "UMNO Baru" ("new UMNO"), while Team B's application to register "UMNO Malaysia" was rejected. Nevertheless, UMNO Malaysia registered the party as [[Semangat 46]] instead under Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah's leadership.<ref>{{Harvnb|Milne & Mauzy|1999|pp=43–44}}</ref> The Lord President of the [[Federal Court of Malaysia|Supreme Court]], [[Salleh Abas]], sent a letter of protest to the Agong, which criticised the prime minister for his comments on the judiciary and called for them to be stopped. Mahathir then suspended Salleh for "gross misbehaviour and conduct", ostensibly because the letter was a breach of protocol. A tribunal set up by Mahathir found Salleh guilty and recommended to the Agong that Salleh be dismissed. Five other judges of the court supported Salleh and were suspended by Mahathir. A newly constituted court dismissed Team B's appeal, allowing Mahathir's faction to continue to use the name UMNO. According to Milne and Mauzy, the episode destroyed the independence of Malaysia's judiciary.<ref>{{Harvnb|Milne & Mauzy|1999|pp=46–49}}</ref>

At the same time as the political and judicial crises, Mahathir initiated a crackdown on opposition dissidents using the [[Internal Security Act 1960|Internal Security Act]]. Mahathir later declared that it was only used to lock up people accused of riots, unlawful assembly, terrorism and those who have murdered police officers. The appointment of several administrators who did not speak Mandarin to Chinese schools provoked an outcry among Chinese Malaysians to the point where UMNO's coalition partners the [[Malaysian Chinese Association]] and [[Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia|Gerakan]] joined the [[Democratic Action Party (Malaysia)|Democratic Action Party]] (DAP) in protesting the appointments.<ref name="Wain 2010 65–67">{{Harvnb|Wain|2010|pp=65–67}}</ref>

UMNO's Youth wing held a provocative protest that triggered a shooting by a lone Malay gunman. Only Mahathir's interference prevented UMNO from staging a larger protest. Instead, Mahathir ordered what Wain calls "the biggest crackdown on political dissent Malaysia had ever seen". Under [[Operation Lalang]], 119 people were arrested and detained without charge under the Internal Security Act. Mahathir argued that the detentions were necessary to prevent a repeat of the 1969 race riots. Most of the detainees were prominent opposition activists, including the DAP leader, [[Lim Kit Siang]], and nine of his fellow MPs. Three newspapers sympathetic to the opposition were shut down.<ref name="Wain 2010 65–67"/>

Mahathir suffered a [[Myocardial infarction|heart attack]] in early 1989.<ref>{{cite book|last=Cheah|first=Boon Keng|title=Malaysia: the making of a nation|year=2002|publisher=Institute of Southeast Asian Studies|isbn=981-230-154-2|page=219}}</ref> He recovered to lead Barisan Nasional to victory in the [[1990 Malaysian general election|1990 election]]. Semangat 46 failed to make any headway outside Razaleigh's home state of Kelantan.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kim Hoong Khong|title=Malaysia's general election 1990: continuity, change, and ethnic politics|year=1991|publisher=Institute of South-East Asian Studies|isbn=981-3035-77-3|pages=15–17}}</ref>

=== Economic development to financial crisis (1990–1998) ===
{{stack|[[File:Petronas Towers at night (7025662613).jpg|thumb|350px|right|A view of [[Petronas Towers]] in Kuala Lumpur, which was built under his tenure.]]}}
[[File:Mohammad Mosaddak Ali met with Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad atthe MalaysiaState Guest House in Kuala Lumpur.jpg|thumb|Mahathir meeting [[Mohammad Mosaddak Ali]] in 1994.]]
The expiry of the Malaysian New Economic Policy (NEP) in 1990 allowed Mahathir to outline his economic vision for Malaysia. In 1991, he announced [[Wawasan 2020|Vision 2020]], under which Malaysia would aim to become a fully developed country within 30 years.<ref>{{Harvnb|Wain|2010|pp=1–3}}</ref> The target would require average economic growth of approximately seven per cent of gross domestic product per annum.<ref>{{Harvnb|Milne & Mauzy|1999|p=165}}</ref> One of Vision 2020's features would be to gradually break down ethnic barriers. Vision 2020 was accompanied by the NEP's replacement, the [[National Development Policy]] (NDP), under which some government programs designed to benefit the [[Bumiputera (Malaysia)|''bumiputera'']] exclusively were opened up to other ethnicities.<ref>{{Harvnb|Milne & Mauzy|1999|p=166}}</ref>

The NDP achieved one of its main aims — [[Poverty in Malaysia|poverty]] reduction. By 1995, less than nine per cent of Malaysians lived in poverty, and [[Income inequality in Malaysia|income inequality]] had narrowed.<ref>{{Harvnb|Milne & Mauzy|1999|p=74}}</ref> Mahathir also introduced the [[Bangsa Malaysia]] policy, which aimed to facilitate [[Malaysian Malaysia|greater representation of non-Malay ethnicities in Malaysia]].<ref>{{Citation |last=Beng |first=Ooi Kee |title=Bangsa Malaysia: Vision or Spin? |date=2005 |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/malaysia/bangsa-malaysia-vision-or-spin/9D14D6CF047D378FCF64DBFD5EC15F1D |work=Malaysia: Recent Trends and Challenges |pages=47–72 |editor-last=Kesavapany |editor-first=K. |publisher=ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute |isbn=978-981-230-554-1 |access-date=22 March 2022 |editor2-last=Saw |editor2-first=Swee-Hock}}</ref> Mahathir's government cut corporate taxes and liberalised financial regulations to attract foreign investment. The economy grew by over nine per cent per annum until 1998, prompting other [[Developing country|developing countries]] to emulate Mahathir's policies.<ref>{{Harvnb|Wain|2010|pp=104–105}}</ref> Much credit for Malaysia's economic development in the 1990s went to Anwar Ibrahim, appointed by Mahathir as finance minister in 1991.<ref>{{Harvnb|Wain|2010|p=280}}</ref> The government rode the economic wave and won the [[1995 Malaysian general election|1995 election]] with an increased majority.<ref>{{cite book|last=Hilley|first=John|title=Malaysia: Mahathirism, hegemony and the new opposition|year=2001|publisher=Zed Books|isbn=1-85649-918-9|page=256}}</ref>

Mahathir initiated a series of major infrastructure projects in the 1990s. One of the largest was the [[Multimedia Super Corridor]], a new information technology district south of Kuala Lumpur modelled after [[Silicon Valley]]. Other Mahathir projects included the development of [[Putrajaya]] as the home of Malaysia's public service and bringing a [[Malaysian Grand Prix|Formula One Grand Prix]] to [[Sepang]]. One of the most controversial developments was the [[Bakun Dam]] in Sarawak. The ambitious [[Hydroelectricity in Malaysia|hydro-electric]] project was intended to carry electricity across the [[South China Sea]] to satisfy electricity demand in peninsular Malaysia. Work on the dam was eventually suspended due to the [[1997 Asian financial crisis|Asian financial crisis]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Wain|2010|pp=185–189}}</ref> The [[1997 Southeast Asian haze]], the worst [[Southeast Asian haze|haze event]] in history caused by [[1997 Indonesian forest fires|Indonesian forest fires]], was a major air pollution crisis for the country; Mahathir launched a [[Operation Haze|cross-border firefighting operation]] in response.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tan |first=Esther |date=8 November 1997 |title=Malaysia, Indonesia signing pact to curb haze |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1309&dat=19971108&id=cLBOAAAAIBAJ&pg=5399,1353 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220414165918/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1309&dat=19971108&id=cLBOAAAAIBAJ&pg=5399,1353 |archive-date=14 April 2022 |access-date=14 April 2022 |website=[[New Straits Times]]}}</ref>
[[File:Mahathir Mohamad at the Prime Minister's Office on 17 March 1995.jpg|thumb|Mahathir at the meeting at the Prime Minister's Office in 1995]]
In 1997, the [[1997 Asian financial crisis|Asian financial crisis]] threatened to devastate Malaysia's economy. The value of the [[Malaysian ringgit|ringgit]] plummeted due to currency speculation, foreign investment fled, and the main stock exchange index fell by over 75 per cent. At the urging of the [[International Monetary Fund]] (IMF), the government cut government spending. It raised interest rates, which only served to exacerbate the economic situation. In 1998, Mahathir went against the advice of IMF and Anwar by increasing government spending and [[Fixed exchange rate system|fixing]] the ringgit to the US dollar. The result confounded his international critics and the IMF – Malaysia recovered from the crisis faster than its Southeast Asian neighbours. In the [[Separate spheres|domestic sphere]], it was a political triumph. Amidst the economic events of 1998, Mahathir had dismissed Anwar as finance minister and deputy prime minister, taking credit for the economy's recovery despite Anwar's policies.<ref>{{Harvnb|Wain|2010|pp=105–109}}</ref> Anwar led the [[Reformasi (Malaysia)|''reformasi'' movement]] against Mahathir's government in response.<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 September 2020 |title=Anwar Ibrahim: A long-held dream to lead Malaysia |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-16440290 |access-date=14 April 2022 |archive-date=14 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220414165918/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-16440290 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In the 1990s, Mahathir found himself at odds with Malaysian royalty over conflicting economic interests. In response to conflicts between Malaysian royals and prospective business leaders, Mahathir's government passed a resolution on royal activities. In the 1992 [[1993 amendments to the Constitution of Malaysia#Gomez Incident|Gomez Incident]], Sultan Iskandar's son, a representative [[field hockey]] player, was suspended from competition for five years for assaulting an opponent. Iskandar retaliated by pulling all Johor hockey teams out of national competitions. When a local coach criticised his decision, Iskandar ordered him to his palace and beat him. The federal parliament unanimously censured Iskandar, and Mahathir took the opportunity to [[1993 amendments to the Constitution of Malaysia|remove the constitutional immunity]] of the sultans from civil and criminal suits. The press backed Mahathir and, in an unprecedented development, started airing allegations of misconduct by members of Malaysia's royal families.<ref name="Wain 2010 208–214">{{Harvnb|Wain|2010|pp=208–214}}</ref>

As the press revealed examples of the rulers' extravagant wealth, Mahathir resolved to cut financial support to royal households. With the press and the government pitted against them, the sultans capitulated to the government's proposals. Their powers to deny assent to bills were limited by further constitutional amendments passed in 1994. With the status and powers of the Malaysian royalty diminished, Wain writes that by the mid-1990s, Mahathir had become the country's "uncrowned king".<ref name="Wain 2010 208–214"/> His policies during his first premiership were later described as "[[Authoritarianism|authoritarian]]" by the [[BBC]].<ref name=":6" />

=== Final years and succession (1998–2003) ===
[[File:Mahathir Mohamad addressing the United Nations General Assembly (September 25 2003).jpg|thumb|Mahathir addressing the [[United Nations General Assembly]], 25 September 2003]]
According to biographer Ian Stewart, by the mid-1990s Anwar's leadership ambition was the most serious threat to Mahathir's power. Anwar began to distance himself from Mahathir, overtly promoting his superior religious credentials and suggesting loosening the restrictions on civil liberties.<ref>{{Harvnb|Stewart|2003|p=32}}</ref> However, Mahathir continued to back Anwar as his successor until the collapse of their relationship during the [[1997 Asian financial crisis|Asian financial crisis]], with Mahathir abandoning the tight monetary and fiscal policies urged by the IMF. Anwar refused to bail out [[Malaysian International Shipping Corp.|Malaysian International Shipping Corp]], in which Mahathir's son Mirzan had interests.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kamarudin |first=Raja Petra |date=17 May 2022 |title=Anwar, Mahathir and Daim supported "bailouts" when they were in power |url=https://www.malaysia-today.net/2022/05/17/anwar-mahathir-and-daim-supported-bail-outs-when-they-were-in-power/ |access-date=24 August 2022 |website=Malaysia Today |language=en-US |archive-date=24 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220824140051/https://www.malaysia-today.net/2022/05/17/anwar-mahathir-and-daim-supported-bail-outs-when-they-were-in-power/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

At the UMNO General Assembly in 1998, a leading Anwar supporter, [[Ahmad Zahid Hamidi]], criticised the government for not doing enough to combat [[Corruption in Malaysia|corruption]] and [[cronyism]]. As Mahathir took the reins of Malaysia's economic policy over the coming months, Anwar was increasingly sidelined. On 2 September, he was dismissed as deputy prime minister and finance minister and promptly expelled from UMNO. No immediate reasons were given for the dismissal. However, the media speculated that it related to lurid allegations of sexual misconduct circulated in a "poison pen letter" at the general assembly.<ref>{{Harvnb|Stewart|2003|pp=64–86}}</ref> As more allegations surfaced, large public rallies were held in support of Anwar. On 20 September, he was arrested and placed in detention under the Internal Security Act.<ref>{{Harvnb|Stewart|2003|pp=106–111}}</ref>

Anwar stood trial on four charges of corruption, arising from allegations that Anwar abused his power by ordering police to intimidate persons who had alleged Anwar had sodomised them. Before Anwar's trial, Mahathir told the press that he was convinced of Anwar's guilt. He was found guilty in April 1999 and sentenced to six years in prison. In [[Anwar Ibrahim sodomy trials|another trial]] shortly after, Anwar was sentenced to another nine years in prison on a conviction for sodomy. The sodomy conviction was overturned on appeal after Mahathir left office.<ref>{{Harvnb|Wain|2010|pp=293–299}}</ref>

Anwar's conviction drew criticism from the international community and led to a loss in domestic support for the ruling coalition. US Secretary of State [[Madeleine Albright]] defended Anwar as a "highly respectable leader" who was "entitled to due process and a fair trial"<ref>{{Harvnb|Stewart|2003|p=141}}</ref> and met with Anwar's wife, [[Wan Azizah Wan Ismail]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Lev |first=Michael A. |date=14 November 1998 |title=Albright to Meet Wife of Jailed Malaysian Former Deputy Leader |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1998-11-14-9811140106-story.html |url-status=live |access-date=15 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190317161613/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1998-11-14-9811140106-story.html |archive-date=17 March 2019}}</ref> At the [[Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation|APEC]] summit in 1999, Canadian Prime Minister [[Jean Chrétien]] refused to meet Mahathir, while his foreign minister also met with Wan Azizah.<ref>{{Harvnb|Stewart|2003|pp=140–141}}</ref> Wan Azizah had formed a liberal opposition party, the [[Keadilan|National Justice Party]] (''Keadilan'') to contest in the [[1999 Malaysian general election|1999 election]]. UMNO lost 18 seats and two state governments as large numbers of Malays voted for PAS or Keadilan in protest of Anwar's treatment.<ref>{{Harvnb|Wain|2010|pp=79–80}}</ref>

In September 2001, debate aroused after Mahathir announced that Malaysia was already an [[Islamic state]];<ref>{{cite journal|url=https://www.questia.com/library/journal/1G1-82481114/the-islamic-state-or-the-state-of-islam-in-malaysia|title=The Islamic State or the State of Islam in Malaysia|last=Martinez|first=Patricia A.|date=1 December 2001|journal=Contemporary Southeast Asia|volume=23|issue=3|pages=474–503|doi=10.1355/CS23-3E|access-date=29 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171028201447/https://www.questia.com/library/journal/1G1-82481114/the-islamic-state-or-the-state-of-islam-in-malaysia|archive-date=28 October 2017|url-status=live|url-access=subscription}}</ref> this caused uneasiness among non-Muslims in Malaysia, whilst the opposition [[DAP Malaysia|DAP]] launched a campaign characterising this as a violation of the [[Social contract (Malaysia)|social contract]] and [[Constitution of Malaysia|constitution]].<ref name=":16">{{Cite web |date=17 June 2002 |title=Malaysia a fundamentalist Islamic country, says PM |url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/11804 |access-date=17 August 2023 |website=[[Malaysiakini]] |archive-date=17 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230817083532/https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/11804 |url-status=live }}</ref> At UMNO's general assembly in 2002, he announced that he would resign as prime minister, only for supporters to rush to the stage and convince him tearfully to remain. He subsequently fixed his retirement for October 2003, giving him time to ensure an orderly and uncontroversial transition to his anointed successor, Abdullah Badawi.<ref>{{Harvnb|Wain|2010|p=80}}</ref> On 29 October 2003, the cabinet paid tribute to Mahathir for his invaluable service to the nation as Prime Minister for the last 22 years.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2003-10-30 |title=Cabinet pays tribute to Dr M |url=https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/1400190/cabinet-pays-tribute-to-dr-m-hl- |website=New Straits Times}}</ref> He also received a record-breaking outpouring of public gratitude, marked by a 5.5 km-long banner displaying messages from over 50,000 Malaysians.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2003-10-28 |title=5.5km-long banner of gratitude to Dr M |url=https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/1401786/5-5km-long-banner-of-gratitude-to-dr-m |website=New Straits Times}}</ref> Having spent over 22 years in office,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2003-10-31 |title=Individuals and organisations pay tribute to Dr Mahathir for his leadership |url=https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/1402013/individuals-and-organisations-pay-tribute-to-dr-mahathir-for-his-leadership |website=New Straits Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2003-11-01 |title=Tribute to nation's great leader |url=https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/3951369/tribute-to-nation-s-great-leader |website=The Malay Mail}}</ref> Mahathir was the world's longest-serving elected leader when he retired.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/malaysia/1445602/Mahathir-bows-out-with-parting-shot-at-the-Jews.html|title=Mahathir bows out with parting shot at the Jews|last=Spillius|first=Alex|date=31 October 2003|work=The Daily Telegraph|location=UK|access-date=5 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111104212437/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/malaysia/1445602/Mahathir-bows-out-with-parting-shot-at-the-Jews.html|archive-date=4 November 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>

For his contributions to the development and progress of Malaysia, Mahathir was honored by his successor, Abdullah Badawi, with the title ''Bapa Pemodenan Malaysia'' (Father of Malaysia's Modernisation) after stepping down from office.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2003-12-22 |title=Dr Mahathir declared Bapa Pemodenan Malaysia |url=https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/3947350/dr-mahathir-declared-bapa-pemodenan-malaysia |website=The Malay Mail}}</ref>

===Foreign relations=== 
[[File:Putin in Malaysia - August 5 2003 - 9.jpg|thumb|Mahathir with [[President of Russia|Russian President]] [[Vladimir Putin]] in 2003]]
[[File:The President's trip to Asia, Australia and Hawaii,2003, WH photo by Paul Morse.jpg|thumb|Mahathir stands with [[Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation|APEC]] leaders for their group photo in [[Bangkok]], [[Thailand]], 21 October 2003]]
During Mahathir's term, Mahathir maintained a collaborative relationship with the West, despite him being an outspoken critic<ref name="warcrimes">{{cite news |date=31 January 2007 |title=Mahathir to launch war crimes tribunal |publisher=The Star (Associated Press) |url=http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/1/31/nation/20070131173214&sec=nation |url-status=dead |access-date=14 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080612065755/http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=%2F2007%2F1%2F31%2Fnation%2F20070131173214&sec=nation |archive-date=12 June 2008}}</ref> and prioritised [[development model]]s and collaboration from elsewhere in Asia.<ref name=":17" /> Early during his tenure, a small disagreement with the [[Malaysia–United Kingdom relations|United Kingdom]] over university [[Tuition fees in the United Kingdom|tuition fees]] led to a boycott of all British goods led by Mahathir, in what became known as the "Buy British Last" campaign.<ref>{{cite news |date=14 August 2010 |title=Creativity – the key to NEM's success |work=[[The Star Online]] |url=http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/8/14/business/6846948&sec=business |url-status=live |access-date=4 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100814223444/http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=%2F2010%2F8%2F14%2Fbusiness%2F6846948&sec=business |archive-date=14 August 2010}}</ref><ref name=":17">{{Cite journal |last1=Pandian |first1=Sivamurugan |last2=Fauzi Abdul Hamid |first2=Ahmad |last3=Singh |first3=Paramjit Singh Jamir |last4=Syed Sopi |first4=Saiyid Radzuwan |date=1 January 2021 |editor-last=Read |editor-first=Robert |title='Look East Policy' after 35 years from social sciences perspectives: A new paradigm for Japan-Malaysia relations 1982-2017 |journal=Cogent Social Sciences |language=en |volume=7 |issue=1 |doi=10.1080/23311886.2021.2005276 |issn=2331-1886 |doi-access=free }}</ref> Mahathir successfully negotiated with Indonesia's dictator [[Suharto]] to bring the 27-year [[Ligitan and Sipadan dispute]] with Indonesia to the [[International Court of Justice]] for resolution.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 October 1996 |title=KL, Jakarta agree to settle isles dispute at international court |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/biztimes19961008-1.2.16.1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810230205/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/biztimes19961008-1.2.16.1 |archive-date=10 August 2023 |access-date=10 August 2023 |website=[[The Business Times (Singapore)|The Business Times]] |page=6}}</ref> In a shift from his predecessors, Mahathir frequently condemned [[Israel]] and ensured Malaysian support for the [[Palestine Liberation Organization]], although toned down his criticisms after the [[Oslo Accords]] were agreed.<ref name=":1" />

Mahathir's relationship with [[Australia]] and its political leaders was particularly rocky. Although [[Malaysia-Australia relations]] were collaborative, Mahathir was publicly critical of the country's [[History of Australia (1788–1850)|colonial history]] and close relations with the United States.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mahathir vs Australia Redux |url=https://thediplomat.com/2011/04/mahathir-vs-australia-redux/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230818153925/https://thediplomat.com/2011/04/mahathir-vs-australia-redux/ |archive-date=18 August 2023 |access-date=18 August 2023 |website=[[The Diplomat]] |language=en-US}}</ref> Relations reached a low point in 1993 when [[Prime Minister of Australia|Australian prime minister]] [[Paul Keating]] described Mahathir as "recalcitrant" for not attending the [[APEC summit]]. The Malaysian government threatened trade sanctions as a response, while the Australian government claimed that Keating's description was a linguistic gaffe, and that what he had in mind was "intransigent".<ref>{{cite news |author=Joseph Masilamany |date=29 June 2006 |title=Mending fences |work=[[The Sun (Malaysia)|The Sun]] |publisher= |url=http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=14613 |url-status=dead |access-date=10 August 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304163036/http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=14613 |archive-date=4 March 2009}}</ref>

Mahathir was prominent at the [[Earth Summit|1992 Earth Summit]], arguing against an international [[Sustainable forest management|forest conservation]] treaty over what he saw as the undue impact on the development of poorer [[Global South]] countries.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Panjabi |first=Ranee K.L. |date=1992 |title=The South and the Earth Summit: The Development/Environment Dichotomy |url=https://elibrary.law.psu.edu/psilr/vol11/iss1/4/ |journal=Penn State International Law Review |volume=11 |issue=1 |access-date=2 September 2023 |archive-date=2 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230902101543/https://elibrary.law.psu.edu/psilr/vol11/iss1/4/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He had previously threatened to pull Malaysia out of the summit if environmentalists intended to criticise [[Deforestation in Malaysia|logging in the country]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chatterjee |first=Pratap |date=24 August 1991 |title=Boycott could mar Earth Summit |url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg13117831-000-boycott-could-mar-earth-summit/ |access-date=2 September 2023 |website=[[New Scientist]] |language=en-US |archive-date=2 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230902102452/https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg13117831-000-boycott-could-mar-earth-summit/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2003, Mahathir spoke to the [[Non-Aligned Movement]] in Kuala Lumpur, where he blamed Western nations and Israel for a global rise in [[terrorism]].<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=25 February 2003 |title=Bali victims 'collateral damage' |work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |location=Sydney |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/bali-victims-collateral-damage-20030225-gdgbvz.html |url-status=live |access-date=15 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190317161613/https://www.smh.com.au/national/bali-victims-collateral-damage-20030225-gdgbvz.html |archive-date=17 March 2019}}</ref> That same year, during his final 100 days in office, Mahathir remained focused on offering potent advice to Third World countries on nurturing healthy economies, among other issues.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2003-11-01 |title=Colourful last 100 days for Dr M |url=https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/1394293/colourful-last-100-days-for-dr-m |access-date= |website=New Straits Times}}</ref>

==== "Look East" policy ====
[[File:Mahathir Mohamad and Yoshirō Mori.jpg|thumb|On 25 November 2000, Mahathir shakes hands with [[Prime Minister of Japan|Japanese Prime Minister]] [[Yoshirō Mori]] in [[Singapore]]]]
Mahathir announced a "Look East" policy in 1982.<ref name=":17" /> Under "Look East", Mahathir particularly prioritised [[Japan–Malaysia relations|relations with Japan]], hoping this would bolster Malaysia's economy and that Japanese work ethic, values and moral norms would have a positive influence on Malaysians.<ref name=":17" /> Mahathir also strengthened [[China–Malaysia relations|political and economic cooperation with China]], whilst maintaining diplomatic ambivalence on security issues to avoid escalating [[territorial disputes in the South China Sea]]. He openly criticised China's involvement in [[Communist insurgency in Malaysia (1968–1989)|Malaysia's communist insurgency]], but downplayed any military threat from China after the [[Cold War]] ended.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Shee |first=Poon Kim |date=2004 |title=The political economy of Mahathir's China policy: Economic cooperation, political and strategic ambivalence. |url=https://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/ir/isaru/assets/file/raris/raris-03-shee.pdf |journal=Ritsumeikan Annual Review of International Studies |volume=3 |issue=3 |pages=59–79 |access-date=20 August 2023 |archive-date=2 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502115108/https://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/ir/isaru/assets/file/raris/raris-03-shee.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Amidst the Asian financial crisis, Mahathir also led several large delegations to China and [[Russia]] to seek regional economic cooperation.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Billington |first=Gail G. |date=3 September 1999 |title=Malaysia's Prime Minister Mahathir strengthens ties to Russia, China |url=https://larouchepub.com/eiw/public/1999/eirv26n35-19990903/eirv26n35-19990903_043-malaysias_prime_minister_mahathi.pdf |journal=[[Executive Intelligence Review]] |volume=26 |issue=35 |pages=43–45 |access-date=20 August 2023 |archive-date=6 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220506172920/https://larouchepub.com/eiw/public/1999/eirv26n35-19990903/eirv26n35-19990903_043-malaysias_prime_minister_mahathi.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

====United States====
{{main|Malaysia–United States relations}}
[[File:Ronald Reagan and Mahathir Mohamad in 1984.jpg|thumb|Mahathir and [[Ronald Reagan]] in 1984]]
[[File:President William Jefferson Clinton with Prime Minister Mahathir bin Mohamad of Malaysia.jpg|thumb|Mahathir and [[Bill Clinton]] in 1994]]
{{Quote box
| width = 25em
| align = right
| quote = Democracy confers a stamp of [[Legitimacy (political science)|legitimacy]] that reforms must have in order to be effective. And so, among nations suffering economic crises, we continue to hear calls for democracy, calls for reform, in many languages – [[People Power Revolution|People Power]], [[Đổi Mới|doi moi]], [[Reformasi (Malaysia)|reformasi]]. We hear them today – right here, right now – among the brave people of Malaysia.
| salign = right
| source = –[[Al Gore]] at the 1998 [[APEC]] Summit in Malaysia<ref name="Gore Anger">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1998/11/17/gore-remarks-anger-malaysian-leaders/9ecba3bf-0428-4bdc-8f04-892d64c332c1/?noredirect=on|title=GORE REMARKS ANGER MALAYSIAN LEADERS|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|first=Paul|last=Blustein|date=17 November 1998|access-date=5 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190105094313/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1998/11/17/gore-remarks-anger-malaysian-leaders/9ecba3bf-0428-4bdc-8f04-892d64c332c1/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.2a3b52406506|archive-date=5 January 2019|url-status=live|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
}}The [[United States]] was the biggest foreign investment source and one of Malaysia's closest allies during Mahathir's rule.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Gong |first=Gerrit W. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=o_CBbSl1NIcC&pg=PA145 |title=Memory and History in East and Southeast Asia: Issues of Identity in International Relations |date=2001 |publisher=CSIS |isbn=978-0-89206-399-4 |language=en |access-date=11 August 2023 |archive-date=20 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230820174442/https://books.google.com/books?id=o_CBbSl1NIcC&pg=PA145 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Hassan |first1=W. Shawaluddin W. |last2=Peters |first2=Diana |title=Malaysia-The United States Relations in the 1990S: Rhetoric and Realities |date=2003 |url=https://ejournal.um.edu.my/index.php/SEJARAH/article/view/9138 |journal=SEJARAH: Journal of the Department of History |language=en |volume=11 |issue=11 |pages=139–154 |doi=10.22452/sejarah.vol11no11.8 |issn=2756-8253 |doi-access=free |access-date=7 August 2023 |archive-date=7 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230807064839/https://ejournal.um.edu.my/index.php/SEJARAH/article/view/9138 |url-status=live }}</ref> A 2003 house hearing by the Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific of the U.S. House International Relations Committee (now called the [[House Committee on Foreign Affairs]]) summarises the relationship between the United States and Malaysia as follows: "Despite sometimes blunt and intemperate public remarks by Prime Minister Mahathir, U.S.-Malaysian cooperation has a solid record in areas as diverse as education, trade, military relations, and [[counter-terrorism]]."<ref>{{cite web |date=26 March 2003 |title=U.S. Interests and Policy Priorities in Southeast Asia |url=https://2001-2009.state.gov/p/eap/rls/rm/2003/19086.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117075445/https://2001-2009.state.gov/p/eap/rls/rm/2003/19086.htm |archive-date=17 November 2017 |access-date=16 March 2019 |website=U.S. Department of State Archive (2001–2009) |publisher=The Office of Website Management, Bureau of Public Affair}}</ref> Mahathir was publicly critical of the [[Foreign Policy of the United States|foreign policy of the United States]], particularly during [[Presidency of George W. Bush|George W. Bush's presidency]].<ref name="outspoken critic">{{cite web |title=Commanding Heights: Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad |url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/commandingheights/shared/minitextlo/int_mahathirbinmohamad.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071222184145/http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/commandingheights/shared/minitextlo/int_mahathirbinmohamad.html |archive-date=22 December 2007 |access-date=1 February 2008 |website=[[PBS.org]] |publisher=}}</ref>

In 1998, US vice-president [[Al Gore]] gave a speech expressing sympathy for the [[Reformasi (Malaysia)|Reformasi movement]] at the [[Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation]] (APEC) conference hosted by Malaysia, infuriating Mahathir and other ministers.<ref name=":15">{{cite web |date=18 November 1998 |title=Reform protests follow Gore's Malaysia speech |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/216500.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090324003209/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/216500.stm |archive-date=24 March 2009 |access-date=26 January 2008 |website=[[BBC News]] |agency=[[BBC]]}}</ref><ref name="Gore Anger" /> Analysts interpreted Gore's comments as criticism of Anwar's imprisonment.<ref>{{Harvnb|Stewart|2003|p=142}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Butler |first=Steven |date=15 November 1998 |title=Turning the Tables in a Very Tawdry Trial |work=[[usnews.com]] |publisher= |url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/981123/archive_005241.htm |url-status=dead |access-date=20 March 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090822234423/http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/981123/archive_005241.htm |archive-date=22 August 2009}}</ref><ref name=":15" /> Anwar was the preeminent Malaysian spokesperson for the economic policies and reforms preferred by the IMF.<ref name="Kamarudin 2004 l066">{{cite web |last=Symonds |first=Peter |date=8 December 2004 |title=What Anwar Ibrahim means by "reformasi" in Malaysia |url=http://www.malaysia-today.net/SunWDML/2004_10_03_MT_SunWDML_archive.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041208023406/http://www.malaysia-today.net/SunWDML/2004_10_03_MT_SunWDML_archive.htm |archive-date=8 December 2004 |access-date=20 August 2023 |website=[[Malaysia Today]]}}</ref>

The United States government also criticised the Malaysian government for its use of the Internal Security Act. Mahathir pointed to the United States to justify his actions. In speaking of [[arbitrary detention]] without trial of [[Prisoner of conscience|prisoners of conscience]] in Malaysia, he said: "Events in the United States have shown that there are instances where certain special powers need to be used in order to protect the public for the general good."<ref>Bovard, James. ''Terrorism and Tyranny: Trampling Freedom, Justice, and Peace to Rid the World of Evil''. St. Martin's Press, 2015. {{ISBN|9781466892767}}.</ref>

====Singapore====
[[Malaysia–Singapore relations|Relations with Singapore]] under Mahathir's tenure were often tense, and he clashed with prime minister [[Lee Kuan Yew]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 January 2018 |title=Malaysia's Najib criticizes Singapore ties under Mahathir |url=https://apnews.com/8140f04ddce643ddb4aa241166bb45f7 |access-date=5 August 2023 |website=AP News |language=en |archive-date=5 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230805173612/https://apnews.com/8140f04ddce643ddb4aa241166bb45f7 |url-status=live }}</ref> Singapore's requests to Malaysia to move its railway immigration checkpoint away from [[Tanjong Pagar railway station|Tanjong Pagar]] and [[Water conflicts between Malaysia and Singapore|disputes over water payments]] were major disagreements between the two countries.<ref name=":13">{{Cite news |date=5 August 1998 |title=Ties Strained Over Water and a Checkpoint : Malaysia's Leader Fires Hot Words at Singapore (Published 1998) |work=The New York Times |language=en |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/08/05/IHT-ties-strained-over-water-and-a-checkpoint-malaysias-leader-fires-hot.html |access-date=5 August 2023 |archive-date=20 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230820174522/https://www.nytimes.com/1998/08/05/IHT-ties-strained-over-water-and-a-checkpoint-malaysias-leader-fires-hot.html |url-status=live |last1=Fuller |first1=Thomas }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=8 August 1998 |title=Mahathir threatens to take home his train set |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/mahathir-threatens-to-take-home-his-train-set-1170635.html |access-date=5 August 2023 |website=The Independent |language=en |archive-date=5 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230805173614/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/mahathir-threatens-to-take-home-his-train-set-1170635.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The Points of Agreement of 1990 set out the terms for developing land for a [[Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System|Rapid Transit System]], although disputes still continued throughout the following decade.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 July 1998 |title=News makers |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/newpaper19980708-1.2.7.7 |access-date=10 August 2023 |website=[[The New Paper]] |page=7 |archive-date=10 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810232252/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/newpaper19980708-1.2.7.7 |url-status=live }}</ref> Mahathir and Singaporean counterparts also oversaw a [[Pedra Branca dispute|dispute over the ownership of Pedra Branca]], several islets between the two countries, with an agreed exchange of documents to settle ownership of the islets in 1981 being delayed until at least 1992.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 March 1992 |title=Pedra Branca: S'pore sends another reminder to Malaysia |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19920317-1.2.7.7?qt=mahathir,%20singapore,%20pedra,%20branca&q=mahathir%20singapore%20pedra%20branca |access-date=10 August 2023 |website=[[The New Straits Times]] |pages=3 |archive-date=10 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810230204/https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19920317-1.2.7.7?qt=mahathir,%20singapore,%20pedra,%20branca&q=mahathir%20singapore%20pedra%20branca |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[1997 Asian financial crisis]] further escalated tensions, with Singapore offering high interest rates for ringgit deposits leading to cash flow issues in Malaysia.<ref name=":13" /> Many disputed issues raised during his administration were still not resolved as of 2018.<ref name=":14">{{Cite web |date=15 January 2019 |title=What are the sticking points in Malaysia-Singapore relations? |url=https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/explained/article/2182048/not-quite-handbags-dawn-malaysia-singapore-air-and-sea-tensions |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230805173612/https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/explained/article/2182048/not-quite-handbags-dawn-malaysia-singapore-air-and-sea-tensions |archive-date=5 August 2023 |access-date=5 August 2023 |website=[[South China Morning Post]] |language=en}}</ref>

On [[Death and state funeral of Lee Kuan Yew|Lee Kuan Yew's death]] in March 2015, Mahathir wrote an entry on his blog, expressing grief at the news. Although he often disagreed with Lee, Mahathir wrote that he bore him no enmity for the differences of opinion on the direction of Singapore's development, and that [[ASEAN]] had lost the strong leadership of both Lee and [[Suharto]] of Indonesia, who had died in 2008.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kuan Yew and I |url=http://chedet.cc/?p=1620 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002093251/http://chedet.cc/?p=1620 |archive-date=2 October 2016 |access-date=29 September 2016 |website=chedet.cc}}</ref> Some analysts observed that with Lee's death, Mahathir was the last of the "Old Guard" of Southeast Asia.<ref>{{cite web |date=5 April 2015 |title=With Lee Kuan Yew's death, Mahathir Mohamad is the last of Southeast Asia's old guard |url=http://www.scmp.com/news/asia/article/1756234/lee-kuan-yews-death-mahathir-mohamad-last-southeast-asias-old-guard |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002154831/http://www.scmp.com/news/asia/article/1756234/lee-kuan-yews-death-mahathir-mohamad-last-southeast-asias-old-guard |archive-date=2 October 2016 |access-date=29 September 2016 |website=[[South China Morning Post]]}}</ref> On the anniversary of Lee's death, Mahathir told the media that Singaporeans must recognise Lee's contributions towards industrialising Singapore. He said that he does not view Lee "as an enemy and all that, but as a Singapore leader who had his own stand that was not the same with the stand of Malaysia".<ref>{{cite news |date=5 April 2016 |title=Lee Kuan Yew was pivotal to Singapore's success: Mahathir |work=[[Straits Times]] |url=http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/lee-kuan-yew-was-pivotal-to-singapores-success-mahathir |url-status=live |access-date=29 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161003065739/http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/lee-kuan-yew-was-pivotal-to-singapores-success-mahathir |archive-date=3 October 2016}}</ref>

====Bosnia and Herzegovina====
[[File:Mahathir Mohamad bust in Sarajevo.jpg|thumb|200x200px|In 2020, a monument dedicated to Mahathir was erected in the Bosnian capital [[Sarajevo]].<ref name=":9" />]]
Mahathir was a prominent international advocate for [[Bosniaks]] in Bosnia and Herzegovina during his tenure. His government permitted Bosnians to come to Malaysia without a visa during the [[Bosnian War]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Karcic |first=Hamza |date=8 October 2020 |title=Haven Far From Home: The Bosniaks of Malaysia |url=https://balkaninsight.com/2020/10/08/haven-far-from-home-the-bosniaks-of-malaysia/ |website=[[Balkan Insight]] |access-date=15 November 2022 |archive-date=15 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115183639/https://balkaninsight.com/2020/10/08/haven-far-from-home-the-bosniaks-of-malaysia/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":9">{{Cite web |last=Kaur |first=Kirat |title=A Monument Dedicated To Dr Mahathir Was Just Unveiled In Europe For Ending The Most Controversial War In The 90s |url=https://www.therakyatpost.com/fun/2020/12/27/a-monument-dedicated-to-dr-mahathir-was-just-unveiled-in-europe-for-ending-the-most-controversial-war-in-the-90s/ |access-date=15 November 2022 |website=[[The Rakyat Post]] |date=27 December 2020 |language=en-US |archive-date=15 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115183648/https://www.therakyatpost.com/fun/2020/12/27/a-monument-dedicated-to-dr-mahathir-was-just-unveiled-in-europe-for-ending-the-most-controversial-war-in-the-90s/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He was influential in the establishment of an [[OIC]] summit in [[Karachi]] in 1993 to discuss the need for weapons for [[Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina|Bosnia]] during the War.<ref name=":9" /> Malaysia sent [[United Nations peacekeeping|UN Peacekeeping]] forces to Bosnia and was part of the [[Contact Group (Balkans)|Contact Group]] advocating for Bosnia at the UN.<ref name=":9" />

In 2007, Mahathir was nominated by four non-governmental organisations in [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]] for the Noble Peace Prize Award 2007. The nominations were made by the Serb Civic Council from Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Croat National Council, the Sarajevo School of Science and Technology, and the Congress of Bosnik Intellectuals.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wong |first=June H. L. |date=2 April 2007 |title=Dr M nominated for Nobel Prize |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2007/02/04/dr-m-nominated-for-nobel-prize/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190609145303/https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2007/02/04/dr-m-nominated-for-nobel-prize/ |archive-date=9 June 2019 |access-date=9 June 2019 |website=The Star |language=en}}</ref>

==Interim years (2003–2018)==
===Retirement from politics (2003–2015)===
[[File:Mahathir 2007.jpg|thumb|Mahathir at [[Hari Merdeka|National Day]] celebrations in August 2007]]
[[File:Mahathir Mohamad and Mintimer Shaimiev.jpg|thumb|Mahathir with the former [[Head of Tatarstan|President of the Republic of Tatarstan]], [[Mintimer Shaimiev]] in 2010]]
[[File:Ilham Aliyev met with former Prime Minister of Malaysia Mahathir Mohamad in Baku (2).jpg|thumb|Mahathir met with [[President of Azerbaijan|Azerbaijani President]] [[Ilham Aliyev]] in [[Baku]], 2 March 2012]]
On his retirement, Mahathir was named a [[Seri Maharaja Mangku Negara|Grand Commander of the Order of the Defender of the Realm]], allowing him to adopt the title of "Tun".<ref>{{cite news |date=31 October 2003 |title=Mahathir honoured as he steps down |work=[[The Age]] |location=Australia |url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/10/31/1067597152513.html |url-status=live |access-date=6 February 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106110701/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/10/31/1067597152513.html |archive-date=6 November 2012}}</ref> He pledged to leave politics "completely", rejecting an emeritus role in [[First Abdullah cabinet|Abdullah's cabinet]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Wain|2010|p=307}}</ref> Abdullah immediately made his mark as a quieter and less adversarial premier. With stronger religious credentials than Mahathir, he beat back PAS's surge in the 1999 election and lead the Barisan Nasional in the [[2004 Malaysian general election|2004 election]] to its biggest win ever, taking 199 of 219 parliamentary seats.<ref>{{Harvnb|Wain|2010|pp=307–318}}</ref> On 23 October, Mingguan Malaysia published an exclusive interview with Mahathir, marking his first since retiring as Prime Minister.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2003-11-24 |title=Dr M speaks of relief of being a pensioner |url=https://www.klik.com.my/item/story/1396662/dr-m-speaks-of-relief-of-being-a-pensioner |website=New Straits Times}}</ref>

Mahathir was the CEO and Chairman, and hence a senior adviser, for many flagship Malaysian companies such as [[Proton (automobile)|Proton]], [[Perdana Leadership Foundation]] and Malaysia's government-owned oil and gas company [[Petronas]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Wain|2010|p=322}}</ref> Mahathir and Abdullah had a major fallout over Proton in 2005. While Abdullah was attempting to reform the company and implemented high import [[tariff]]s on foreign cars, Mahathir accused Abdullah's government of [[cronyism]] in relation to import licences.<ref>{{Cite news |date=29 July 2005 |title=Mahathir raises heat in feud on Malaysian carmaker (Published 2005) |language=en |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/29/business/worldbusiness/mahathir-raises-heat-in-feud-on-malaysian-carmaker.html |access-date=20 August 2023 |archive-date=20 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230820190626/https://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/29/business/worldbusiness/mahathir-raises-heat-in-feud-on-malaysian-carmaker.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Proton's chief executive, a Mahathir ally, had been sacked by the company's board. With Abdullah's blessing, Proton then sold one of its prise assets, the motorcycle company [[MV Agusta]], which was bought on Mahathir's advice.<ref>{{Harvnb|Wain|2010|p=320}}</ref>

Mahathir criticised the awarding of import permits for foreign cars, which he claimed were causing Proton's domestic sales to suffer,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/business/family-ties-lubricate-malaysia-wheels-of-power/2005/08/09/1123353320054.html|title=Family ties lubricate Malaysia wheels of power|last=Backman|first=Michael|date=10 August 2005|work=The Age|location=Australia|access-date=12 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628183440/http://www.theage.com.au/news/business/family-ties-lubricate-malaysia-wheels-of-power/2005/08/09/1123353320054.html|archive-date=28 June 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> and attacked Abdullah for cancelling the construction of a second causeway between Malaysia and Singapore.<ref>{{Harvnb|Wain|2010|p=321}}</ref>

Mahathir complained that his views were not getting sufficient airing by the [[Mass media in Malaysia|Malaysian press]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Wain|2010|pp=323–25}}</ref> In response, be began writing a column for ''[[Malaysiakini]]'' and starting his own blog.<ref>{{Harvnb|Wain|2010|p=325}}</ref> He unsuccessfully sought election from his local party division to be a delegate to UMNO's general assembly in 2006, where he planned to initiate a challenge to Abdullah's leadership.<ref name="Wain 2010 326">{{Harvnb|Wain|2010|p=326}}</ref> After the [[2008 Malaysian general election|2008 election]], in which UMNO lost its two-thirds majority in parliament, Mahathir resigned from the party. When Abdullah was replaced by his deputy [[Najib Razak]] in 2009, Mahathir re-joined the party.<ref>{{Harvnb|Wain|2010|pp=329–32}}</ref>
[[File:Mahathir Mohamad and Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.jpg|thumb|Mahathir met with former [[President of the Maldives|Maldivian President]] [[Maumoon Abdul Gayoom]], 27 December 2013]]
Mahathir established the Kuala Lumpur Initiative to Criminalise War Forum in an effort to end war globally,<ref>{{cite news |last=Buang |first=Salleh |date=23 April 2015 |title=A dream to criminalise war |url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/2015/09/dream-criminalise-war |work=The New Straits Times |access-date=2 April 2019 |archive-date=2 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402122455/https://www.nst.com.my/news/2015/09/dream-criminalise-war |url-status=live }}</ref> as well as the [[Kuala Lumpur War Crimes Commission]] to investigate the activities of the United States, [[Israel]] and its allies in Iraq, [[Lebanon]] and the [[Palestinian territories]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Kuala Lumpur War Crimes Commission |url=http://www.brussellstribunal.org/KL.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111030000757/http://www.brussellstribunal.org/KL.htm |archive-date=30 October 2011 |access-date=2 November 2011 |website=Brussels Tribune}}</ref> In March 2015, Mahathir attended a conference where he stated his belief in a "[[New World Order (conspiracy theory)|New World Order]]", where an elite would attempt rule the planet in a single world government, and exterminate billions of humans.<ref>{{Citation |title=FULL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE THE "NEW WORLD ORDER" A RECIPE FOR WAR or PEACE! | date=7 April 2015 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-2V3F4AQF8 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/1-2V3F4AQF8 |language=en |access-date=24 September 2021 |archive-date=12 December 2021 |url-status=live}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name="Dr M warns against New World Order">{{cite web |title=Dr M warns against New World Order |url=http://lib.perdana.org.my/PLF/News_2015/Rare/March/NewStraits%20Times/NST-100315.pdf |accessdate=6 October 2021 |work=PERDANA LIBRARY PERDANA LEADERSHIP FOUNDATION |archive-date=25 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210925132558/http://lib.perdana.org.my/PLF/News_2015/Rare/March/NewStraits%20Times/NST-100315.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Return to politics (2015–2018)===
[[File:Terkini 23-9 Ucapan Tun Mahathir DI Majlis Makan Malam DAP Pulau Pinang.webm|thumb|On 23 September 2017, Mahathir, as the Chairman of Pakatan Harapan, delivered a speech at the [[Democratic Action Party|DAP]] dinner in Penang]]
Mahathir repeatedly called for prime minister [[Najib Razak]] to resign over the [[1Malaysia Development Berhad scandal|1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) corruption scandal]].<ref>{{cite web |date=14 October 2015 |title=Dr M, BN men have every right to meet up, Nur Jazlan says |url=https://sg.news.yahoo.com/dr-m-bn-men-every-meet-nur-jazlan-100000465.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017174638/https://sg.news.yahoo.com/dr-m-bn-men-every-meet-nur-jazlan-100000465.html |archive-date=17 October 2015 |access-date=14 October 2015 |website=[[Yahoo News|Yahoo! News Singapore]]}}</ref> On 30 August 2015, he and Hasmah attended the [[Bersih 4 rally]], a mass protest organised in response to the scandal.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dr M shows up at Bersih 4 rally, with Dr Siti Hasmah (VIDEO) |url=http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/dr-m-shows-up-at-bersih-4-rally |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920100442/http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/dr-m-shows-up-at-bersih-4-rally |archive-date=20 September 2016 |access-date=12 June 2016 |website=[[The Malay Mail]]}}</ref> In 2016, Mahathir chaired the [[Malaysian Citizens' Declaration]], which brought together several political figures and non-governmental organisations in calling for Najib's resignation.<ref>{{cite web |title=Malaysia alliance demands removal of scandal-hit PM Najib |url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/malaysia-alliance-demands/2572686.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160611000255/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/malaysia-alliance-demands/2572686.html |archive-date=11 June 2016 |access-date=12 June 2016 |website=[[Channel News Asia]] |publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=4 March 2016 |title=Malaysia's Mahathir and opposition sign declaration to oust Najib |url=http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/mahathir-and-opposition-sign-declaration-to-oust-najib |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406220116/http://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/mahathir-and-opposition-sign-declaration-to-oust-najib |archive-date=6 April 2016 |access-date=12 June 2016 |website=[[Straits Times]] |publisher=}}</ref>

Mahathir left UMNO in 2016, and formed [[Malaysian United Indigenous Party|Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia]] (BERSATU).<ref>{{cite news |title=Malaysia's PM in danger as Mahathir quits party |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-malaysia-mahathir-idUSKLR14546620080519 |url-status=live |access-date=11 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180511145928/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-malaysia-mahathir-idUSKLR14546620080519 |archive-date=11 May 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Mahathir quits Umno, calling it 'Najib's party' |work=[[The Straits Times]] |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/mahathir-quits-umno-calling-it-najibs-party |url-status=live |access-date=11 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180512071928/https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/mahathir-quits-umno-calling-it-najibs-party |archive-date=12 May 2018}}</ref> The new party was officially registered on 9 September 2016, and Mahathir became its chairman.<ref>{{cite news |date=9 September 2016 |title=Dr Mahathir's new party officially registered |work=[[Free Malaysia Today]] |url=http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2016/09/09/dr-mahathirs-new-party-officially-registered/ |url-status=live |access-date=15 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161015145627/http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2016/09/09/dr-mahathirs-new-party-officially-registered/ |archive-date=15 October 2016}}</ref> By 2017, he had officially joined the opposition coalition [[Pakatan Harapan]]. Negotiations then took place between different factions of the coalition for Mahathir to become the chairman and prime ministerial candidate.<ref>{{cite news|title=Mahathir Mohamad's return shows the sorry state of Malaysian politics|url=https://www.economist.com/news/asia/21724432-former-prime-minister-reinventing-himself-leader-opposition-mahathir-mohamads|access-date=2 July 2017|newspaper=[[The Economist]]|date=1 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701235202/http://www.economist.com/news/asia/21724432-former-prime-minister-reinventing-himself-leader-opposition-mahathir-mohamads|archive-date=1 July 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> He assumed the position of chairman on 14 July 2017, despite reservations from supporters of [[Anwar Ibrahim]], who could not contest in polls himself while imprisoned.<ref>{{cite news |title=Mahathir named chairman, Anwar named de facto leader of Pakatan Harapan |work=[[The Straits Times]] |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/mahathir-named-chairman-anwar-named-de-facto-leader-of-pakatan-rakyat |url-status=live |access-date=15 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180515185345/https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/mahathir-named-chairman-anwar-named-de-facto-leader-of-pakatan-rakyat |archive-date=15 May 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=17 May 2018 |title=Anwar credits Wan Azizah, Siti Hasmah, for reconciliation with Mahathir |work=[[New Straits Times]] |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/anwar-credits-wan-azizah-siti-hasmah-for-reconciliation-with-mahathir |access-date=1 December 2020 |archive-date=7 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307163506/https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/anwar-credits-wan-azizah-siti-hasmah-for-reconciliation-with-mahathir |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2017, Mahathir referred to Najib as "a prime minister who came from 'Bugis pirates'" and remarked, "go back to [[Sulawesi]]". [[Bugis]] people in Malaysia and Indonesia criticised his language and protested against him.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bugis hurt by 'pirate' remark, Dr Mahathir told |work=[[The Star Online]] |agency= |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/10/18/bugis-descendents-protest-against-mahathirs-pirate-remark/ |url-status=live |access-date=2 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107055426/https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/10/18/bugis-descendents-protest-against-mahathirs-pirate-remark/ |archive-date=7 November 2017}}</ref>

In early 2018, Mahathir was announced as Pakatan Harapan's prime ministerial candidate for the [[2018 Malaysian general election|upcoming general election]]. [[Wan Azizah Wan Ismail|Wan Azizah]], wife of his former political enemy Anwar, ran as his deputy.<ref>{{cite web |date=8 January 2018 |title=Mahathir Mohamad: Ex-Malaysia PM, 92, to run for office |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-42603220 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111033621/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-42603220 |archive-date=11 January 2018 |access-date=11 January 2018 |website=[[BBC News]] |publisher=}}</ref> Mahathir's election promise was to seek a [[pardon]] for Anwar, in order to allow him to take over as prime minister after an interim period.<ref>{{cite web |last=Hodge |first=Amanda |date=9 January 2018 |title=Mahathir Mohammad runs for PM in partnership with former rival Anwar Ibrahim |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/mahathir-mohammad-runs-for-pm-in-partnership-with-former-rival-anwar-ibrahim/news-story/08387ad835ac31d78ab749b0213aed3d |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200224083136/https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/mahathir-mohammad-runs-for-pm-in-partnership-with-former-rival-anwar-ibrahim/news-story/08387ad835ac31d78ab749b0213aed3d |archive-date=24 February 2020 |access-date=11 January 2018 |work=[[The Australian]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Malhi |first=Amrita |date=12 January 2018 |title=Mahathir Mohamad crops up again in bid to lead Malaysia – with Anwar on the same side |url=https://theconversation.com/mahathir-mohamad-crops-up-again-in-bid-to-lead-malaysia-with-anwar-on-the-same-side-89917 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111213006/http://theconversation.com/mahathir-mohamad-crops-up-again-in-bid-to-lead-malaysia-with-anwar-on-the-same-side-89917 |archive-date=11 January 2018 |access-date=11 January 2018 |work=[[The Conversation (website)|The Conversation]]}}</ref>

==Second term as prime minister (2018–2020)==
{{main|Second premiership of Mahathir Mohamad}}
 
[[File:Secretary Pompeo and Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad (43814325601).jpg|thumb|Mahathir meets with [[United States Secretary of State|US Secretary of State]] [[Mike Pompeo]] in August 2018]]
[[File:President Rodrigo Roa Duterte accompanies Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad as the latter is accorded foyer honors upon his arrival at the Malacañan Palace for his two-day official visit to the Philippines on March 7, 2019.jpg|thumb|Mahathir and [[President of the Philippines|Philippine president]] [[Rodrigo Duterte]], 7 March 2019]]
Pakatan Harapan defeated Barisan Nasional in the [[2018 Malaysian general election|2018 general election]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Tay |first=Chester |date=10 May 2018 |title=Tun M hopes to be sworn in as PM by 5pm today |url=http://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/tun-m-hopes-be-sworn-pm-5pm-today |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180511013031/http://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/tun-m-hopes-be-sworn-pm-5pm-today |archive-date=11 May 2018 |access-date=10 May 2018 |work=[[The Edge (Malaysia)|The Edge Markets]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Taylor |first=Adam |date=9 January 2018 |title=How old is too old to be a world leader? |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2018/01/09/how-old-is-too-old-to-be-a-world-leader |url-status=live |access-date=12 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180110135856/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2018/01/09/how-old-is-too-old-to-be-a-world-leader/ |archive-date=10 January 2018}}</ref> Concerns for a [[Peaceful transition of power|smooth power transition]] emerged as Najib declared that no party had achieved a majority.<ref>{{cite web |date=10 May 2018 |title=Najib: No party has simple majority |url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/424051 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180510062746/https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/424051 |archive-date=10 May 2018 |access-date=10 May 2018 |website=[[Malaysiakini]] |agency=}}</ref> The [[Istana Negara, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Halim|National Palace of Malaysia]] subsequently confirmed Mahathir would be sworn in as Malaysia's seventh prime minister, refuting any claims of delaying the appointment.<ref>{{cite web |date=10 May 2018 |title=Istana Negara confirms Dr M to be sworn in tonight, refutes claims of delaying PM appointment |url=http://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/istana-negara-confirms-dr-m-be-sworn-tonight-refutes-claims-delaying-pm-appointment |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180511013243/http://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/istana-negara-confirms-dr-m-be-sworn-tonight-refutes-claims-delaying-pm-appointment |archive-date=11 May 2018 |access-date=10 May 2018 |website=[[The Edge (Malaysia)|The Edge Markets]] |agency=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Mahathir sworn in as Malaysia's 7th Prime Minister |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/mahathir-sworn-in-as-malaysias-7th-prime-minister |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180512044839/https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/mahathir-sworn-in-as-malaysias-7th-prime-minister |archive-date=12 May 2018 |access-date=10 May 2018 |website=[[The Straits Times]] |agency=}}</ref>

Mahathir became the world's [[Lists of state leaders by age|oldest serving state leader]] (aged {{ayd|10 July 1925|10 May 2018}} at the time), and the first Malaysian prime minister not to represent [[Umno|UMNO]].<ref>{{Cite news |author1=Euan McKirdy |author2=Marc Lourdes |author3=Ushar Daniele |date=10 May 2018 |title=Malaysia's Mahathir Mohamad is now the world's oldest leader |work=[[CNN]] |url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/10/asia/malaysia-election-mahathir-victory-intl/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=11 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180510110157/https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/10/asia/malaysia-election-mahathir-victory-intl/index.html |archive-date=10 May 2018}}</ref> His deputy, [[Wan Azizah Wan Ismail|Wan Azizah]] became the first female [[Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia|deputy prime minister of Malaysia]].<ref>{{cite web |date=10 May 2018 |title=Mahathir says he's poised to lead Malaysia again |url=http://www.afr.com/news/world/mahathir-says-hes-poised-to-lead-malaysia-again-20180510-h0zx2w |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180510162550/http://www.afr.com/news/world/mahathir-says-hes-poised-to-lead-malaysia-again-20180510-h0zx2w |archive-date=10 May 2018 |access-date=10 May 2018 |website=AFR |agency=[[Reuters]]}}</ref>

In April 2019, Mahathir was listed among [[Time (magazine)|''Time'' magazine]]'s [[Time 100|100 most influential people]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=AR |first=Zurairi |date=17 April 2019 |title=Dr M named among Time's 100 most influential people |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2019/04/17/dr-m-named-among-times-100-most-influential-people/1744327 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329172904/https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2019/04/17/dr-m-named-among-times-100-most-influential-people/1744327 |archive-date=29 March 2022 |website=[[Malay Mail]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=18 April 2019 |title=Dr M listed in Time's 100 most influential people |url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/472705 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220323062022/https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/472705 |archive-date=23 March 2022 |website=[[Malaysiakini]]}}</ref>

===Domestic affairs===
[[File:Perutusan Khas 100 Hari Bersama Perdana Menteri Malaysia, Tun Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad.webm|thumb|Mahathir plays to public in first 100 days]]
[[File:Mahathir stands in front of the colorful "Putrajaya" sign.jpg|thumb|Mahathir stands in front of the Putrajaya sign at [[Putra Square]] on 31 December 2018]]
Mahathir promised to "restore the [[rule of law]]", and reopen investigations into the [[1Malaysia Development Berhad scandal]], telling the press that Najib would face consequences if found guilty of corruption.<ref>{{cite web |title=1MDB poses fresh threat to Najib |url=http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2018/05/10/1mdb-poses-fresh-threat-to-najib/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180530164115/http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2018/05/10/1mdb-poses-fresh-threat-to-najib/ |archive-date=30 May 2018 |access-date=10 May 2018 |website=[[Free Malaysia Today]] |date=10 May 2018 |agency=}}</ref> Mahathir instructed the [[Immigration Department of Malaysia|Department of Immigration]] bar Najib and his wife [[Rosmah Mansor]] from leaving the country after they attempted to fly to [[Indonesia]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 May 2018 |title=Police cordon off home of Malaysia's ex-PM Najib after travel ban |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2145899/police-cordon-residence-malaysias-ex-pm-najib-razak-after |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307083415/https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2145899/police-cordon-residence-malaysias-ex-pm-najib-razak-after |archive-date=7 March 2022 |access-date=7 March 2022 |website=[[South China Morning Post]] |language=en}}</ref>

Mahathir formed his [[Seventh Mahathir cabinet|seventh cabinet]] of 29 ministers in June 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 July 2018 |title=Three more ministers to be appointed to Cabinet |url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2018/07/386564/three-more-ministers-be-appointed-cabinet |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307083419/https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2018/07/386564/three-more-ministers-be-appointed-cabinet |archive-date=7 March 2022 |access-date=7 March 2022 |work=[[New Straits Times]] |language=en}}</ref> He abolished the unpopular [[Goods and Services Tax (Malaysia)|Goods and Services Tax]], reducing it from six to zero per cent.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 May 2018 |title=Malaysia says GST reduced to zero per cent from 6 per cent, fulfilling PH promise |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/malaysia-says-gst-reduced-to-zero-per-cent-from-6-per-cent-fulfilling-ph-promise |access-date=7 March 2022 |website=[[The Straits Times]] |archive-date=11 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220511024044/https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/malaysia-says-gst-reduced-to-zero-per-cent-from-6-per-cent-fulfilling-ph-promise |url-status=live }}</ref> Mahathir also vowed to cut fiscal spending by firing thousands of [[Civil service in Malaysia|civil servants]], cancelling an expensive [[Kuala Lumpur–Singapore high-speed rail|Kuala Lumpur–Singapore high-speed rail link]] and cutting back on large infrastructure projects initiated under Najib.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bevins |first=Vincent |date=30 May 2018 |title=Analysis {{!}} New Malaysian government steps back from spending, Chinese projects |language=en-US |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2018/05/30/new-malaysian-government-steps-back-from-spending-chinese-projects/ |url-status=live |access-date=22 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012231008/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2018/05/30/new-malaysian-government-steps-back-from-spending-chinese-projects/ |archive-date=12 October 2020 |issn=0190-8286}}</ref> Malaysia's [[Freedom of the press in Malaysia|freedom of the press]] improved slightly under Mahathir's tenure, and the country's rank rose in the [[Press Freedom Index]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Malaysia : Back to harassment, intimidation and censorship |url=https://rsf.org/en/malaysia |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124091549/https://rsf.org/en/malaysia |archive-date=24 November 2021 |access-date=7 March 2022 |website=[[Reporters Without Borders]] |language=en}}</ref> The government announced [[Palm oil production in Malaysia|palm oil cultivation]] would be limited to 6.55 million hectares by 2023, and began a lobbying campaign to improve palm oil's reputation abroad.<ref name=":18">{{Cite news |date=23 August 2019 |title=Malaysia's Mahathir says linking palm oil to deforestation 'baseless' |language=en |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-malaysia-palmoil-deforestation-idUSKCN1VD0CR |access-date=2 September 2023 |archive-date=2 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230902100303/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-malaysia-palmoil-deforestation-idUSKCN1VD0CR |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 20 June 2018, Mahathir met the father of murdered [[Mongolia|Mongolian]] woman [[Murder of Shaariibuugiin Altantuyaa|Altantuya Shaariibuu]] and agreed that the case of her murder should be reopened.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 June 2018 |title=After meeting Altantuya's dad, PM Mahathir 'agrees her murder case should be reopened' |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/after-meeting-altantuyas-dad-pm-mahathir-agrees-her-murder-case-should-be-reopened |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125131352/https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/after-meeting-altantuyas-dad-pm-mahathir-agrees-her-murder-case-should-be-reopened |archive-date=25 January 2022 |access-date=25 January 2022 |website=[[The Straits Times]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kaos |first=Joseph Jr. |title=After meeting her father, Dr M agrees that Altantuya case should be re-opened |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/06/20/after-meeting-her-father-dr-m-agrees-that-altantuya-case-should-be-reopened |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125132902/https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/06/20/after-meeting-her-father-dr-m-agrees-that-altantuya-case-should-be-reopened |archive-date=25 January 2022 |access-date=25 January 2022 |website=[[The Star (Malaysia)|The Star]] |language=en}}</ref>

A year into his term, Mahathir's approval ratings had fallen as the economy slowed and several planned reforms, such as abolishing [[Capital punishment in Malaysia|capital punishment]] and the [[Sedition Act 1948]], were not realised amid divisions in the coalition.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Sipalan |first1=Joseph |last2=Latiff |first2=Rozanna |date=10 May 2019 |title=Malaysia's hopes of economic revival under Mahathir fade |language=en |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-malaysia-politics-analysis-idUSKCN1SG08R |access-date=29 August 2023 |archive-date=29 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230829234319/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-malaysia-politics-analysis-idUSKCN1SG08R |url-status=live }}</ref> Mahathir announced the [[Shared Prosperity Vision 2030]] in October 2019, which set out for Malaysia to become a [[high income]] country by 2030.<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 October 2019 |title=PM launches Shared Prosperity Vision 2030, says will hit the ground running |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/10/05/pm-launches-shared-prosperity-vision-2030-says-will-hit-the-ground-running |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221014224009/https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/10/05/pm-launches-shared-prosperity-vision-2030-says-will-hit-the-ground-running |archive-date=14 October 2022 |access-date=7 March 2022 |website=[[The Star (Malaysia)|The Star]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Loheswar |first=R. |date=7 October 2019 |title=Three things we learned about Shared Prosperity Vision 2030 |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2019/10/07/three-things-we-learned-about-shared-prosperity-vision-2030/1797797 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024061451/https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2019/10/07/three-things-we-learned-about-shared-prosperity-vision-2030/1797797 |archive-date=24 October 2022 |access-date=7 March 2022 |website=[[Malay Mail]] |language=en}}</ref> Another priority of his administration was a more transparent approach to [[Military of Malaysia|defence]]. The government prepared the country's first defence policy [[white paper]] outlining long-term plans for the country.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Parameswaran |first=Prashanth |title=Malaysia's Pakatan Harapan Government Undertakes 3 New Defense Plans |url=https://thediplomat.com/2019/12/malaysias-pakatan-harapan-government-undertakes-3-new-defense-plans/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220321161248/https://thediplomat.com/2019/12/malaysias-pakatan-harapan-government-undertakes-3-new-defense-plans/ |archive-date=21 March 2022 |access-date=21 March 2022 |website=[[The Diplomat]] |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Foreign relations===
{{main|List of international prime ministerial trips made by Mahathir Mohamad during his second term}} 
[[File:Presiden Jokowi menerima kunjungan PM Malaysia, Mahathir Mohamad di Istana Kepresidenan Bogor, 29-6.webm|thumb|[[President of Indonesia|Indonesian President]] [[Joko Widodo]] receiving Mahathir at [[Bogor Palace]], 29 June 2018]] 
[[File:20190531malaysia01.jpg|thumb|On 31 May 2019, Mahathir held a summit meeting with Japanese Prime Minister [[Shinzo Abe]]]]
Early in his second tenure, Mahathir visited [[Japan]] and [[Indonesia]] to reaffirm good relations, and reignited a [[Water conflicts between Malaysia and Singapore|water dispute with Singapore]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Parameswaran |first=Prashanth |date=3 July 2018 |title=What Does Mahathir's Visit Mean for Indonesia-Malaysia Relations? |work=[[The Diplomat]] |url=https://thediplomat.com/2018/07/what-does-mahathirs-visit-mean-for-indonesia-malaysia-relations/ |url-status=live |access-date=17 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180829035621/https://thediplomat.com/2018/07/what-does-mahathirs-visit-mean-for-indonesia-malaysia-relations/ |archive-date=29 August 2018}}</ref> By the end of 2018, several disputes over maritime and airspace borders with Singapore had continued.<ref name=":14" /> Mahathir met twice with president [[Rodrigo Duterte]] in his first year in office to strengthen [[Malaysia–Philippines relations|cooperation with the Philippines]] on a broad range of security, economic and political issues.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Parameswaran |first=Prashanth |date=12 March 2019 |title=Mahathir-Duterte Summit Puts Malaysia-Philippines Ties Into Focus |url=https://thediplomat.com/2019/03/mahathir-duterte-summit-puts-malaysia-philippines-ties-into-focus/ |access-date=26 August 2023 |website=[[The Diplomat]] |language=en-US |archive-date=26 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230826121716/https://thediplomat.com/2019/03/mahathir-duterte-summit-puts-malaysia-philippines-ties-into-focus/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Mahathir again prioritised relations with Japan<ref>{{Cite news |date=10 June 2018 |title=In Mahathir's Malaysia, Japan is back amid doubts over Chinese funding |language=en |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-malaysia-japan-idUSKBN1J60AZ |url-status=live |access-date=20 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230820092818/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-malaysia-japan-idUSKBN1J60AZ |archive-date=20 August 2023}}</ref> and strengthened [[Malaysia–Russia relations|economic and defence ties with Russia]].<ref name=":10">{{Cite web |last=Bowie |first=Nile |date=10 September 2019 |title=The ties that bind Mahathir to Moscow |url=https://asiatimes.com/2019/09/the-ties-that-bind-mahathir-to-moscow/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414112349/https://asiatimes.com/2019/09/the-ties-that-bind-mahathir-to-moscow/ |archive-date=14 April 2021 |access-date=4 December 2022 |website=[[Asia Times]] |language=en-US}}</ref> He visited [[Vladivostok]] for a meeting of the [[Eastern Economic Forum]] in late 2019, where he cast doubt on the [[Joint investigation team|Joint Investigation Team]]'s findings related to the downing of [[Malaysia Airlines Flight 17]].<ref name=":10" /> Mahathir called the murder charges brought to four Russians related to the flight "ridiculous", calling it "a political issue on how to accuse Russia of wrongdoing".<ref>{{Cite news |date=20 June 2019 |title=MH17 crash: Malaysia PM Mahathir denounces murder charges |language=en-GB |work=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-48702115 |url-status=live |access-date=20 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230426151840/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-48702115 |archive-date=26 April 2023}}</ref> Malaysia launched a foreign policy framework in late 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Parameswaran |first=Prashanth |title=What Does Malaysia's New Foreign Policy Framework Mean for Pakatan Harapan's Approach to the World? |url=https://thediplomat.com/2019/10/what-does-malaysias-new-foreign-policy-framework-mean-for-pakatan-harapans-approach-to-the-world/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220321161248/https://thediplomat.com/2019/10/what-does-malaysias-new-foreign-policy-framework-mean-for-pakatan-harapans-approach-to-the-world/ |archive-date=21 March 2022 |access-date=21 March 2022 |website=[[The Diplomat]] |language=en-US}}</ref> In response to European Union regulations phasing out [[Palm oil|palm-oil]] based [[Biofuel|biofuels]], Mahathir discussed bringing a formal complaint to the [[World Trade Organization]] or a case to the [[European Court of Justice]] with Indonesian president [[Joko Widodo]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Exclusive: Mahathir weighs taking EU to court over palm oil ban |url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Editor-s-Picks/Interview/Exclusive-Mahathir-weighs-taking-EU-to-court-over-palm-oil-ban |access-date=2 September 2023 |website=[[Nikkei Asia]] |language=en-GB |archive-date=2 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230902100303/https://asia.nikkei.com/Editor-s-Picks/Interview/Exclusive-Mahathir-weighs-taking-EU-to-court-over-palm-oil-ban |url-status=live }}</ref>

Mahathir condemned [[Assassination of Jamal Khashoggi|the killing]] of Saudi journalist [[Jamal Khashoggi]] in October 2018<ref>{{cite news |last1=Tang |first1=Ashley |date=22 October 2018 |title=Dr M: Khashoggi's killing extremely cruel, unacceptable |work=[[The Star (Malaysia)|The Star]] |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/10/22/dr-m-khashoggis-killing-extremely-cruel-and-unacceptable/ |url-status=live |access-date=26 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024112900/https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/10/22/dr-m-khashoggis-killing-extremely-cruel-and-unacceptable/ |archive-date=24 October 2018}}</ref> and [[2020 Baghdad International Airport airstrike|the assassination]] of Iranian General [[Qasem Soleimani]] by the United States in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |title='Soleimani killing illegal, immoral': Malaysian premier |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/-soleimani-killing-illegal-immoral-malaysian-premier/1695288 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200126103742/https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/-soleimani-killing-illegal-immoral-malaysian-premier/1695288 |archive-date=26 January 2020 |access-date=26 January 2020 |website=[[aa.com.tr]]}}</ref>
[[File:Dr. Mahathir - KL Summit 2019 (Closing remarks )Kuala Lumpur Summit (cropped).jpg|thumb|Mahathir delivers his opening speech during the [[Kuala Lumpur Summit]] 2019 at the [[Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre]] on December 19, 2019]]
Mahathir was supportive of the [[2018–19 Korean peace process]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Loh |first=Jonathon |date=12 June 2018 |title=Malaysia PM Mahathir says the world can learn from Kim Jong Un's 'new attitude' and decision to meet Trump |url=https://www.businessinsider.my/dr-mahathir-praises-kim-jong-un-new-attitude-decision-trump-world-learn/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615083238/https://www.businessinsider.my/dr-mahathir-praises-kim-jong-un-new-attitude-decision-trump-world-learn/ |archive-date=15 June 2018 |access-date=15 June 2018 |website=[[Business Insider]] |publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=12 June 2018 |title=Malaysia, Japan hope for successful US – North Korea summit |url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2018/06/379164/malaysia-japan-hope-successful-us-north-korea-summit |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615111037/https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2018/06/379164/malaysia-japan-hope-successful-us-north-korea-summit |archive-date=15 June 2018 |access-date=15 June 2018 |work=[[New Straits Times]] |publisher=}}</ref> He also indicated that Malaysia would re-open its [[Malaysia–North Korea relations|embassy in North Korea]], which had remained closed since the 2017 [[assassination of Kim Jong-nam]].<ref>{{cite web |author1=Praveen Menon |author2=Darren Schuettler |date=12 June 2018 |title=Malaysia to reopen embassy in North Korea: Mahathir |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-malaysia/malaysia-to-reopen-embassy-in-north-korea-mahathir-idUSKBN1J80O2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614224658/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-malaysia/malaysia-to-reopen-embassy-in-north-korea-mahathir-idUSKBN1J80O2 |archive-date=14 June 2018 |access-date=15 June 2018 |website=[[Reuters]] |publisher=}}</ref>

====China====
{{Further|China–Malaysia relations}}
Mahathir's administration committed to retaining good relations with China,<ref name=":3" /> but promised to review all [[Belt and Road Initiative]] projects in Malaysia that were initiated by the previous government. He characterised these as "[[Unequal treaty|unequal treaties]]". His government suspended work on the [[East Coast Rail Link]],<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |date=26 January 2019 |title=Malaysia to cancel $20 billion China-backed rail project: minister |language=en |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-malaysia-idUSKCN1PK03P |url-status=live |access-date=8 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308135350/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-malaysia-idUSKCN1PK03P |archive-date=8 March 2022}}</ref><ref name=":4" /> which recommenced after terms had been renegotiated.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Anis |first1=Mazwin Nik |last2=Kaos |first2=Joseph |last3=Carvalho |first3=Martin |date=16 April 2019 |title=Work on ECRL expected to resume next month |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/04/16/work-on-ecrl-expected-to-resume-next-month |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308172518/https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/04/16/work-on-ecrl-expected-to-resume-next-month |archive-date=8 March 2022 |access-date=8 March 2022 |website=The Star |language=en}}</ref> Mahathir cancelled approximately $2.8 billion worth of deals with [[China Petroleum Pipeline Bureau]] altogether, citing high repayment costs.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=Beech |first=Hannah |date=20 August 2018 |title='We Cannot Afford This': Malaysia Pushes Back Against China's Vision |language=en-US |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/20/world/asia/china-malaysia.html |url-status=live |access-date=8 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190816132513/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/20/world/asia/china-malaysia.html |archive-date=16 August 2019 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=9 September 2018 |title=Malaysia cancels China-backed pipeline projects |url=https://www.ft.com/content/06a71510-b24a-11e8-99ca-68cf89602132 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://archive.today/20180909174605/https://www.ft.com/content/06a71510-b24a-11e8-99ca-68cf89602132 |archive-date=9 September 2018 |access-date=8 March 2022 |website=[[Financial Times]]}}</ref>

On 13 February 2020, Mahathir spoke with [[President of China|Chinese President]] [[Xi Jinping]] to express solidarity and discuss cooperation in response to the [[2019–2020 COVID-19 outbreak in mainland China|COVID-19 outbreak]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 February 2020 |title=Dr M expresses solidarity with China in half-hour call to President Xi |url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/510780 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210520154632/https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/510780 |archive-date=20 May 2021 |website=[[Malaysiakini]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Chan |first=Julia |date=14 February 2020 |title=PM says Malaysia stands with China in Covid-19 battle in phone call with President Xi |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/02/14/pm-says-malaysia-stands-with-china-in-covid-19-battle-in-phone-call-with-pr/1837447 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329094918/https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/02/14/pm-says-malaysia-stands-with-china-in-covid-19-battle-in-phone-call-with-pr/1837447 |archive-date=29 March 2022 |website=[[Malay Mail]] |language=en}}</ref>

=== 2020 political crisis and resignation ===
{{Main|2020–2022 Malaysian political crisis}}

By late 2019, disagreements emerged within Pakatan Harapan about Mahathir's planned handover of power to [[Anwar Ibrahim]], eventually culminating in a [[Sheraton move|political crisis in 2020]]. Mahathir and a faction of the coalition felt that Anwar would be unable to command a parliamentary majority.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |date=6 March 2020 |title=Malaysian machinations: How Southeast Asia's veteran leader lost the plot |language=en |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-malaysia-politics-endgame-insight-idUSKBN20T0HZ |url-status=live |access-date=1 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210916214511/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-malaysia-politics-endgame-insight-idUSKBN20T0HZ |archive-date=16 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=24 February 2020 |title=Malaysia's 94-year-old PM Tenders His Resignation |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/east-asia-pacific_malaysias-94-year-old-pm-tenders-his-resignation/6184738.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220113232332/https://www.voanews.com/a/east-asia-pacific_malaysias-94-year-old-pm-tenders-his-resignation/6184738.html |archive-date=13 January 2022 |access-date=13 January 2022 |website=[[Voice of America]] |language=en}}</ref> MPs supporting Anwar demanded a timeframe for Mahathir's resignation and handover of power.<ref name=":2" />

In February 2020, MPs opposed to Anwar taking over met and agreed to form a new government.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Leaders holed up in political meetings |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/02/23/leaders-holed-up-in-political-meetings |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200224113146/https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/02/23/leaders-holed-up-in-political-meetings |archive-date=24 February 2020 |access-date=24 February 2020 |website=[[The Star (Malaysia)|The Star]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Consensus dinner ends, MPs begin leaving Sheraton PJ |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/02/23/vehicles-seen-entering-istana-negara-following-talk-of-new-coalition-govt |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200224113148/https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/02/23/vehicles-seen-entering-istana-negara-following-talk-of-new-coalition-govt |archive-date=24 February 2020 |access-date=24 February 2020 |website=[[The Star (Malaysia)|The Star]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=C131 MPs attend dinner at hotel |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/02/24/131-mps-attend-dinner-at-hotel |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200224113148/https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/02/24/131-mps-attend-dinner-at-hotel |archive-date=24 February 2020 |access-date=24 February 2020 |website=[[The Star (Malaysia)|The Star]]}}</ref> Anwar told the media that he had been "betrayed".<ref>{{cite web |title=Anwar confirms bid to shake up PH |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/02/24/anwar-confirms-bid-to-shake-up-ph |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200224113145/https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/02/24/anwar-confirms-bid-to-shake-up-ph |archive-date=24 February 2020 |access-date=24 February 2020 |website=[[The Star (Malaysia)|The Star]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Anwar Ibrahim says he has been betrayed by Pakatan Harapan partners amid talk of new ruling coalition |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/malaysia-anwar-mahathir-pakatan-harapan-umno-pas-12462606 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226160122/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/malaysia-anwar-mahathir-pakatan-harapan-umno-pas-12462606 |archive-date=26 February 2020 |access-date=23 March 2020 |website=[[Channel News Asia]]}}</ref> Anwar and Mahathir met to clarify the situation, where Mahathir insisted he had no involvement in a new government.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{cite news |date=24 February 2020 |title=Pemimpin PH jumpa Dr Mahathir |work=[[Berita Harian]] |url=https://www.bharian.com.my/berita/politik/2020/02/658588/pemimpin-ph-jumpa-dr-mahathir |url-status=live |access-date=26 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210906161127/https://www.bharian.com.my/berita/politik/2020/02/658588/pemimpin-ph-jumpa-dr-mahathir |archive-date=6 September 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=24 February 2020 |title=Anwar Hails 'Good Meeting' With Mahathir Amid Malaysia Rumors |work=[[Bloomberg L.P.|Bloomberg]] |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/amp/news/articles/2020-02-23/anwar-says-there-are-attempts-to-form-new-malaysian-government |url-status=live |access-date=26 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226120658/https://www.bloomberg.com/amp/news/articles/2020-02-23/anwar-says-there-are-attempts-to-form-new-malaysian-government |archive-date=26 February 2020}}</ref>

Mahathir, refusing to work with UMNO leaders, submitted his resignation to the Agong, [[Abdullah of Pahang]], on 24 February 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/24/asia/malaysia-prime-minister-mahathir-resigns-intl-hnk/index.html|title=Malaysia's Mahathir Mohamad resigns as Prime Minister|author1=Helen Regan|author2=Ushar Daniele|website=CNN|date=24 February 2020|access-date=24 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200224081618/https://www.cnn.com/2020/02/24/asia/malaysia-prime-minister-mahathir-resigns-intl-hnk/index.html|archive-date=24 February 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/02/24/anwar-i-appealed-to-dr-m-to-stay-on-as-pm-but-he-refused-to-be-associated-with-past-regime|title=Anwar: I appealed to Dr M to stay on as PM but he refused to be associated with past regime|website=The Star|access-date=24 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200224113150/https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/02/24/anwar-i-appealed-to-dr-m-to-stay-on-as-pm-but-he-refused-to-be-associated-with-past-regime|archive-date=24 February 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> The Agong appointed him [[Caretaker government|interim prime minister]] until a replacement could be agreed.<ref>{{cite news |title=Malaysia's Mahathir submits resignation, 'quits' his party |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/02/malaysia-mahathir-turns-resignation-reports-200224054737676.html |access-date=24 February 2020 |work=[[Al Jazeera Arabic|Al Jazeera]] |date=24 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200224073723/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/02/malaysia-mahathir-turns-resignation-reports-200224054737676.html |archive-date=24 February 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Teoh |first1=Shannon |title=Mahathir resigns as Malaysian Prime Minister, PH loses majority after MPs leave |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/malaysian-pm-mahathir-resigns-in-tactical-move-to-thwart-anwar-succession-sources |access-date=24 February 2020 |work=[[The Straits Times]] |date=24 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200224074148/https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/malaysian-pm-mahathir-resigns-in-tactical-move-to-thwart-anwar-succession-sources |archive-date=24 February 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":0">{{cite news |last1=Regan |first1=Helen |title=Malaysia's Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad resigns |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/02/24/asia/malaysia-prime-minister-mahathir-resigns-intl-hnk/index.html |access-date=24 February 2020 |work=[[CNN]] |date=24 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200224081614/https://edition.cnn.com/2020/02/24/asia/malaysia-prime-minister-mahathir-resigns-intl-hnk/index.html |archive-date=24 February 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[BERSATU]] President [[Muhyiddin Yassin]] declared the party's withdrawal from Pakatan Harapan; Mahathir also resigned from the party in response.<ref name=":2" />

On 29 February, the Agong appointed Muhyiddin prime minister, determining that he was most likely to be able to hold the support of a majority in parliament.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/03/01/muhyiddin-is-eighth-pm-says-king|title=Muhyiddin is eighth PM, says King|date=29 February 2020|work=The Star|access-date=1 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200301040316/https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/03/01/muhyiddin-is-eighth-pm-says-king|archive-date=1 March 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Mahathir unsuccessfully attempted to challenge this with the Agong, but eventually left the prime minister's office an hour before Muhyiddin was sworn in.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=1 March 2020 |title=Mahathir Mohamad questions legitimacy of Malaysia's new PM |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/29/muhyiddin-yassin-named-as-malaysian-prime-minister |access-date=29 August 2023 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=29 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230829083651/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/29/muhyiddin-yassin-named-as-malaysian-prime-minister |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Post–second term premiership (2020–present) ==
[[File:Ambassador Brian McFeeters courtasy call with Tun Mahathir (51696966166).jpg|thumb|Mahathir meets with [[List of ambassadors of the United States to Malaysia|United States Ambassador to Malaysia]] [[Brian D. McFeeters]] on 22 November 2021]]
[[File:髙橋大使によるマハティール元首相表敬.jpg|thumb|200px|On 15 April 2022, Mahathir met with Takahashi Katsuhiko, Ambassador of Japan to Malaysia]]
Mahathir formed the [[Homeland Fighter's Party]] (PEJUANG) in August 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Arif |first=Zahratulhayat Mat |date=2020-08-12 |title='Those who left Bersatu can join Pejuang' |url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/politics/2020/08/616150/those-who-left-bersatu-can-join-pejuang |access-date= |website=NST Online |language=en}}</ref> Four other MPs joined the new party, including Mahathir's son [[Mukhriz Mahathir|Mukhriz]]. The party was registered in July 2021.<ref>{{cite news |last=Yusof |first=Amir |date=13 August 2020 |title=What we know about former Malaysian PM Mahathir's new political party so far |work=[[Channel News Asia]] |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/malaysia-mahathir-mohamad-pejuang-warriors-new-party-13017710 |url-status=live |access-date=22 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200904083134/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asia/malaysia-mahathir-mohamad-pejuang-warriors-new-party-13017710 |archive-date=4 September 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=14 July 2021 |title=斗士党成功注册 马哈迪：马来领袖贪婪恋权以致马来人分裂失势 |url=https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/sea/story20210714-1168678 |work=Lian He Zao Bao 联合早报 |access-date=2 August 2021 |archive-date=2 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210802012236/https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/sea/story20210714-1168678 |url-status=live}}</ref> In August 2021, Mahathir and other MPs protested in [[Merdeka Square, Kuala Lumpur|Merdeka Square]], calling for [[Muhyiddin Yassin|Muhyiddin]]'s resignation over the government's response to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in Malaysia|COVID-19 pandemic]], after being blocked from entering parliament by police.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Malaysia opposition MPs gather at Merdeka Square after being blocked from entering parliament |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/malaysia-opposition-dataran-merdeka-parliament-postponed-covid19-2084501 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307172402/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/malaysia-opposition-dataran-merdeka-parliament-postponed-covid19-2084501 |archive-date=7 March 2022 |access-date=7 March 2022 |website=[[Channel News Asia]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2 August 2021 |title=Opposition MPs renew calls for Malaysia's PM Muhyiddin to resign |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/heavy-police-presence-outside-malaysian-parliament |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210802080101/https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/heavy-police-presence-outside-malaysian-parliament |archive-date=2 August 2021 |access-date=7 March 2022 |website=[[The Straits Times]] |language=en}}</ref>

In April 2022, UMNO president [[Ahmad Zahid Hamidi]] filed a [[defamation]] lawsuit against Mahathir.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lim |first=Ida |date=27 April 2022 |title=Zahid sues Dr Mahathir for defamation, insists never met to discuss court case before latter became PM again |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2022/04/27/zahid-sues-dr-m-for-defamation-insists-never-met-to-discuss-court-cas/2055873 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220502094120/https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2022/04/27/zahid-sues-dr-m-for-defamation-insists-never-met-to-discuss-court-cas/2055873 |archive-date=2 May 2022 |website=[[Malay Mail]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=27 April 2022 |title=Zahid sues Dr M for defamation over lobbying claim |url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/619413 |website=Malaysiakini |archive-date=2 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220502094119/https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/619413 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=27 April 2022 |title=UMNO president Ahmad Zahid sues former Malaysia PM Mahathir for defamation |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/umno-ahmad-zahid-hamidi-sues-dr-mahathir-defamation-2650496 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220502094119/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/umno-ahmad-zahid-hamidi-sues-dr-mahathir-defamation-2650496 |archive-date=2 May 2022 |website=[[Channel News Asia]] |language=en}}</ref> In June 2022, Mahathir made [[Irredentism|irrendentist]] comments by stating that Singapore and the [[Riau Islands]] of Indonesia was once owned by [[Johor Sultanate|Johor]], and argued the state should claim them as part of Malaysia.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Auto |first=Hermes |date=20 June 2022 |title=Ex-PM Mahathir says Malaysia should claim Singapore and Riau Islands |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/ex-pm-mahathir-says-malaysia-should-claim-singapore-and-riau-islands |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220620210501/https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/ex-pm-mahathir-says-malaysia-should-claim-singapore-and-riau-islands |archive-date=20 June 2022 |access-date=21 June 2022 |website=[[Straits Times]] |language=en}}</ref>

In September 2022, Mahathir said he was open to becoming the prime minister for a third time if there were no other suitable candidates.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2022/09/24/if-there-are-calls-i-am-open-to-being-pm-for-a-third-time-says-dr-m|title=If there are calls, I am open to being PM for a third time, says Dr M|website=The Star|date=24 September 2022|access-date=27 September 2022|archive-date=27 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927091458/https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2022/09/24/if-there-are-calls-i-am-open-to-being-pm-for-a-third-time-says-dr-m|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2022/09/26/dr-m-muhyiddin-not-fit-to-be-next-pm-says-zahid|title=Dr M, Muhyiddin not fit to be next PM, says Zahid|website=The Star|date=26 September 2022|access-date=27 September 2022|archive-date=27 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927010910/https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2022/09/26/dr-m-muhyiddin-not-fit-to-be-next-pm-says-zahid|url-status=live}}</ref> Having previously said he would not defend his Langkawi parliamentary seat,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zulkifli |first=Adie |date=9 March 2022 |title=Tun Mahathir not defending Langkawi seat in GE15 |url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2022/03/778306/tun-mahathir-not-defending-langkawi-seat-ge15|website=NST Online |language=en |archive-date=17 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220317003653/https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2022/03/778306/tun-mahathir-not-defending-langkawi-seat-ge15 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=9 March 2022 |title=Dr Mahathir not contesting in GE15 |url=https://www.themalaysianinsight.com/s/370813 |website=The Malaysian Insight |language=en |archive-date=9 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309135931/https://www.themalaysianinsight.com/s/370813 |url-status=live }}</ref> he announced he would contest the [[2022 Malaysian general election|2022 general election]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2022/10/11/ge15-dr-m-will-defend-langkawi-seat|title=GE15: Dr M will defend Langkawi seat|website=The Star|date=11 October 2022|accessdate=12 October 2022|archive-date=11 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011134241/https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2022/10/11/ge15-dr-m-will-defend-langkawi-seat|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2022/10/11/ge15-umnos-dirty-trick-to-push-for-polls-during-monsoon-says-dr-m|title=GE15: UMNO's dirty trick to push for polls during monsoon, says Dr M|website=The Star|date=11 October 2022|accessdate=12 October 2022|archive-date=11 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011233612/https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2022/10/11/ge15-umnos-dirty-trick-to-push-for-polls-during-monsoon-says-dr-m|url-status=live}}</ref> In the election on 19 November, Mahathir lost his seat and [[election deposit]], marking his first defeat in 53 years.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 November 2022 |title=Ex-Malaysia PM Mahathir Mohamad suffers shock defeat in polls |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/11/19/mahathir-mohamad-ex-malaysia-pm-loses-seat-in-first-poll-defeat |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221119232308/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/11/19/mahathir-mohamad-ex-malaysia-pm-loses-seat-in-first-poll-defeat |archive-date=19 November 2022 |access-date=20 November 2022 |website=[[Al Jazeera Arabic|Al Jazeera]] |language=en}}</ref> No candidate from PEJUANG or [[Gerakan Tanah Air]] secured a seat.<ref>{{Cite news |date=19 November 2022 |title=Malaysia ex-PM Mahathir loses seat in first election defeat in 53 years |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/malaysias-mahathir-fails-win-seat-general-election-2022-11-19/ |access-date=19 November 2022 |archive-date=30 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130215018/https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/malaysias-mahathir-fails-win-seat-general-election-2022-11-19/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Mahathir Mohamad: Ex-Malaysia PM loses seat in shock defeat |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/11/19/mahathir-mohamad-ex-malaysia-pm-loses-seat-in-first-poll-defeat |access-date=19 November 2022 |work=[[Al Jazeera Arabic|Al Jazeera]] |date=19 November 2022 |url-status=live |archive-date=19 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221119201937/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/11/19/mahathir-mohamad-ex-malaysia-pm-loses-seat-in-first-poll-defeat }}</ref> He later said that his party's plans "had to be dropped" and he would shift his focus to writing about [[History of Malaysia|Malaysian history]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Keval |date=23 November 2022 |title=Former PM Mahathir to focus on writing about Malaysia's history, after shock defeat in polls |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/malaysia-s-former-pm-mahathir-to-focus-on-writing-history-after-his-shock-defeat-in-polls |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130230112/https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/malaysia-s-former-pm-mahathir-to-focus-on-writing-history-after-his-shock-defeat-in-polls |archive-date=30 November 2022 |access-date=1 December 2022 |website=[[Straits Times]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=23 November 2022 |title=Malaysia's Mahathir says will focus on writing after poll defeat |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20221123-malaysia-s-mahathir-says-will-focus-on-writing-after-poll-defeat |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201180742/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20221123-malaysia-s-mahathir-says-will-focus-on-writing-after-poll-defeat |archive-date=1 December 2022 |access-date=1 December 2022 |website=[[France 24]] |language=en |agency=[[Agence France-Presse]]}}</ref>

In February 2023, Mahathir and 13 other members of PEJUANG (leaving his own son as the sole leader of that party) left the party and joined [[Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia]] (Putra).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jun |first=Soo Wern |date=25 February 2023 |title=Dr Mahathir, 13 former Pejuang members join Putra |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2023/02/25/dr-mahathir-13-former-pejuang-members-join-putra/56698 |website=Malay Mail |language=en |archive-date=25 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230225061842/https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2023/02/25/dr-mahathir-13-former-pejuang-members-join-putra/56698 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=11 February 2023 |title=Mahathir, 12 others leave Pejuang |url=http://www.theedgemarkets.com/node/654864 |website=The Edge Markets |archive-date=25 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230225061854/https://www.theedgemarkets.com/node/654864 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Later in 2023, Mahathir began promoting a "Malay Proclamation", aimed at uniting Malays. He met with PAS and PN leaders to garner support for the 12-point document listing political, economic and social issues.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sipalan |first=Joseph |date=10 July 2023 |title=Malaysia's Mahathir, 98, isn't done with politics. Is he 'obsessed' with Anwar? |url=https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3227200/malaysias-mahathir-turns-98-malay-supremacy-his-mind-he-obsessed-anwar |access-date=4 September 2023 |website=[[South China Morning Post]] |language=en |archive-date=4 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230904070838/https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3227200/malaysias-mahathir-turns-98-malay-supremacy-his-mind-he-obsessed-anwar |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2023/05/03/pas-leaders-sign-mahathir039s-039malay-proclamation039|title=PAS leaders sign Mahathir's 'Malay Proclamation'|website=The Star|date=3 May 2023|accessdate=12 May 2023|archive-date=13 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230513041528/https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2023/05/03/pas-leaders-sign-mahathir039s-039malay-proclamation039|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Noorshahrizam |first=Shahrin Aizat |date=5 July 2023 |title=Muhyiddin-Mahathir meet over Malay Proclamation 'fruitful', says secretariat chairman |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2023/07/05/muhyiddin-mahathir-meet-over-malay-proclamation-fruitful-says-secretariat-chairman/77940 |access-date=29 August 2023 |website=[[Malay Mail]] |language=en |archive-date=29 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230829083651/https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2023/07/05/muhyiddin-mahathir-meet-over-malay-proclamation-fruitful-says-secretariat-chairman/77940 |url-status=live }}</ref> Mahathir was questioned by police over this campaign under the [[Penal Code (Malaysia)|Malaysian Penal Code]], for carrying out "activities that undermine parliamentary democracy".<ref>{{Cite news |date=2 June 2023 |title=Mahathir questioned by police over Malay Proclamation campaign, says lawyer |language=en |work=[[The Straits Times]] |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/former-malaysian-pm-mahathir-questioned-by-police-over-malay-proclamation-campaign-says-lawyer |access-date=8 September 2023 |issn=0585-3923 |archive-date=8 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230908150729/https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/former-malaysian-pm-mahathir-questioned-by-police-over-malay-proclamation-campaign-says-lawyer |url-status=live }}</ref> Mahathir also left GTA, criticising the coalition for its poor performance in the election.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2023/05/12/039gta-failed-to-get-support-from-voters039-says-dr-m-on-his-decision-to-quit|title='GTA failed to get support from voters', says Dr M on his decision to quit|website=The Star|date=12 May 2023|accessdate=12 May 2023|archive-date=12 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230512021145/https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2023/05/12/039gta-failed-to-get-support-from-voters039-says-dr-m-on-his-decision-to-quit|url-status=live}}</ref> He supported [[Perikatan Nasional]], the coalition that had ousted him in 2020, in six [[2023 Malaysian state elections|state elections]] and was named its "unofficial adviser" for the four state governments under its control.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chan |first=Julia |date=15 September 2023 |title=Perikatan names Dr Mahathir as unofficial adviser to four states under its control |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2023/09/15/perikatan-names-dr-mahathir-as-unofficial-adviser-to-four-states-under-its-control/90981 |access-date=20 September 2023 |website=[[Malay Mail]] |language=en |archive-date=20 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920000153/https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2023/09/15/perikatan-names-dr-mahathir-as-unofficial-adviser-to-four-states-under-its-control/90981 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In January 2024, Mahathir made remarks about Malaysian Indians, claiming that they were not completely loyal to Malaysia as they still identify with their country of origin, India. He argued that they have to identify themselves as [[Malaysian Malays|Malays]] and speak [[Malay language|Malay]] instead of [[Tamil language|Tamil]] to have the right to call Malaysia the country their own. He further added that non-Malays must assimilate and 'become Malays'. The remarks drew sharp criticisms from various politicians and organisations, notably [[Minister of National Unity (Malaysia)|Minister of National Unity]] [[Aaron Ago Dagang]], [[Minister of Digital (Malaysia)|Minister of Digital]] [[Gobind Singh Deo]], [[Dewan Rakyat|Member of Parliament]] (MP) for [[Bagan (federal constituency)|Bagan]] [[Lim Guan Eng]] and Member of the [[Johor State Legislative Assembly]] (MLA) for [[Puteri Wangsa (state constituency)|Puteri Wangsa]] [[Amira Aisya Abdul Aziz]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/01/14/apologise-for-remarks-on-malaysian-indians-muda-acting-president-tells-dr-m|title=Apologise for remarks on Malaysian Indians, Muda acting president tells Dr M|website=The Star|date=14 January 2024|accessdate=15 January 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/01/14/don039t-make-racially-divisive-statements-gobind-tells-dr-m|title=Don't make racially divisive statements, Gobind tells Dr M|website=The Star|date=14 January 2024|accessdate=15 January 2024}}</ref> 

In January 2024, Mahathir's eldest son Mirzan and second son Mokhzani were summoned by the [[Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission]] (MACC) for multiple corruption and abuse of power cases respectively. On 11 March 2024, the MACC announced that the investigation involved the [[Pandora Papers|Pandora Files]] and the [[Panama Papers]]. Related figures include Mahathir's two sons, Mirzan and [[Mokhzani Mahathir|Mokhzani]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=19 February 2024|title=Malaysia's anti-graft agency probes former finance minister and his associates over Pandora Papers' revelations|url=https://www.icij.org/investigations/pandora-papers/malaysias-anti-graft-agency-probes-former-finance-minister-and-his-associates-over-pandora-papers-revelations/|access-date=12 March 2024|website=[[ICIJ]]|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=23 January 2024|title=Analysis: Resurfaced Pandora and Panama papers cast doubt over Malaysia's probes into Daim and Mahathir's families|url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/daim-mahathir-mirzan-anwar-macc-graft-corruption-probe-pandora-panama-papers-4067471|access-date=11 March 2024|website=[[亚洲新闻台]]|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=12 March 2024|title=潘多拉文件涉及者逾300人 反贪一哥：包括执政领袖|url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BbAUSUAf3TA|access-date=11 March 2024|website=[[8TV (Malaysia)]]|language=zh-my}}</ref> On 26 March 2024, [[Bloomberg News|Bloomberg]] reported that the purpose of the MACC's investigation of Mirzan and Mozani was to investigate whether Mahathir had [[Corruption in Malaysia|corruption]] and [[abuse of power]] during his administration. And on the 31st of the same month, it was confirmed by Mukhriz. On 16 April 2024, Mahathir responded on his blog that the MACC claimed that he had violated the law, but so far it has not been able to produce any relevant evidence. "If there is evidence from the Anti-Corruption Commission, please show relevant evidence." On 25 April 2024, [[Azam Baki]], Chairman of the MACC, confirmed that Mahathir was investigated by the agency due to property declaration.<ref>{{Cite web|date=27 April 2024|title=MACC probing Mahathir|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/04/26/macc-probing-mahathir|access-date=28 April 2024|website=[[The Star (Malaysia)]]|language=en}}</ref>

==Political positions and views==
{{main|Political positions of Mahathir Mohamad}} 
[[File:HE Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad, Prime Minister of Malaysia (44582220115).jpg|thumb|Mahathir speaking about "The Future of Democracy in Asia" in [[Chatham House]], [[United Kingdom]] in 2018]]
[[File:Ambassador Takahashi's attendance at the opening ceremony of the Nippon Designers School Malaysia College.jpg|thumb|In 2022, Mahathir speaking at the opening ceremony of the Nippon Designers School Malaysia College]]
Mahathir's political views have shifted during his lengthy career. During the 1980s, he was a supporter of [[Third-Worldism]], while during other periods he has been a proponent of "[[Asian values]]" and [[globalisation]].<ref name=":7" /> A [[Islam in Malaysia|Muslim]] thinker, he holds [[Islamic Politics|Islamic political views]].<ref name=":7">{{Cite book |last=Schottmann |first=Sven |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctvvn4z8 |title=Mahathir's Islam: Mahathir Mohamad on Religion and Modernity in Malaysia |date=2018 |publisher=University of Hawai'i Press |jstor=j.ctvvn4z8 |isbn=978-0-8248-4674-9 |access-date=15 November 2022 |archive-date=15 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115163815/https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctvvn4z8 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2002, he characterised himself as an [[Islamic fundamentalism|Islamic fundamentalist]].<ref name=":16" /> Mahathir is generally respected in developing and [[Islamic countries]],<ref name="warcrimes" /> particularly due to his oversight of Malaysia's economic growth and his support of [[Liberalism and progressivism within Islam|liberal Muslim values]].<ref>{{cite news |author=Bowring, Philip |date=23 September 1998 |title=Twin Shocks Will Leave Their Mark on Malaysia |work=International Herald Tribune |url=http://www.iht.com/articles/1998/09/23/edbow.t_0.php |url-status=dead |access-date=14 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080611121810/http://www.iht.com/articles/1998/09/23/edbow.t_0.php |archive-date=11 June 2008}}</ref>

Mahathir has been described as a proponent of [[Malay nationalism]].<ref name=":7" /> In ''[[The Malay Dilemma]]'', he argued that the [[Malaysian Malays|Malay race]] had been marginalised, and voiced his support for [[affirmative action]] policies for them.<ref name=":6">{{Cite news |date=1 September 2022 |title=Mahathir Mohamad: The man who dominated Malaysian politics |language=en-GB |work=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-44028023 |url-status=live |access-date= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221122132932/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-44028023 |archive-date=22 November 2022}}</ref> Upon his first resignation, he expressed his disappointment at the progress made towards his "principle task" of supporting the Malay race.<ref name=":6" /> In 2021, Mahathir said he did not believe in "''[[Ketuanan Melayu]]''", calling it a "fantasy", and said instead that he believed in the concept of "[[Bangsa Malaysia]]",<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 December 2021 |title=I don't believe in 'Ketuanan Melayu' fantasy, says Dr M |url=https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2021/12/12/i-dont-believe-in-ketuanan-melayu-fantasy-says-dr-m/ |website=[[Free Malaysia Today]] |access-date=15 November 2022 |archive-date=12 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211212114214/https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2021/12/12/i-dont-believe-in-ketuanan-melayu-fantasy-says-dr-m/ |url-status=live }}</ref> but later clarified in 2023 that his vision of Bangsa Malaysia meant the assimilation of non-Malay people into Malay culture and argued against multiculturalism.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tee |first=Kenneth |date=13 November 2023 |title=Citing Indonesia, Dr Mahathir says non-Malays should be assimilated and 'become Malays' as part of 'Bangsa Malaysia' |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2023/11/13/citing-indonesia-dr-mahathir-says-non-malays-should-be-assimilated-and-become-malays-as-part-of-bangsa-malaysia/101791 |access-date=14 November 2023 |website=Malay Mail |language=en |archive-date=14 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231114164819/https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2023/11/13/citing-indonesia-dr-mahathir-says-non-malays-should-be-assimilated-and-become-malays-as-part-of-bangsa-malaysia/101791 |url-status=live }}</ref> He has been described as [[Anti-royalism|anti-royalist]] by ''[[Libération]]'', owing to his efforts to oppose [[Immunity from prosecution (international law)|immunity]] for members of [[Monarchies of Malaysia|Malaysia's monarchies]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Defranoux |first=Laurence |title=Abdication surprise du roi de Malaisie |url=https://www.liberation.fr/planete/2019/01/06/abdication-surprise-du-roi-de-malaisie_1701288/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115165633/https://www.liberation.fr/planete/2019/01/06/abdication-surprise-du-roi-de-malaisie_1701288/ |archive-date=15 November 2022 |access-date=15 November 2022 |website=Libération |language=fr}}</ref> 

Mahathir is a vocal critic of [[neoliberalism]]<ref name=":7" /> and the Western world.<ref name=":8">{{cite web |date=19 August 2022 |title=Malaysia's Mahathir says US seeking to provoke war in Taiwan |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-2022-midterm-elections-biden-taiwan-nato-96f52741ce6e9e6a2cdcfce5fd459ad8 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220829161943/https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-2022-midterm-elections-biden-taiwan-nato-96f52741ce6e9e6a2cdcfce5fd459ad8 |archive-date=29 August 2022 |access-date=29 August 2022 |website=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref><ref name="warcrimes" /> In 2011, Mahathir suggested that the [[September 11 attacks]] might have been [[9/11 conspiracy theories|staged by the United States government]].<ref>{{cite news |author=Roslan Rahman |date=11 September 2011 |title=Malaysia's Mahathir: 9/11 not work of Muslims |work=AFP News |url=https://my.news.yahoo.com/malaysias-mahathir-9-11-not-muslims-045737526.html |url-status=live |access-date=10 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141109114620/https://my.news.yahoo.com/malaysias-mahathir-9-11-not-muslims-045737526.html |archive-date=9 November 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=AR |first=Zurairi |date=9 March 2015 |title=In Dr M's 'New World Order' meet, academics claim war on terror 'big US lie' |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2015/03/09/in-dr-ms-new-world-order-meet-academics-claim-war-on-terror-big-us-lie/855701 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924060323/https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2015/03/09/in-dr-ms-new-world-order-meet-academics-claim-war-on-terror-big-us-lie/855701 |archive-date=24 September 2021 |access-date=24 September 2021 |website=[[Malay Mail]] |language=en}}</ref> Mahathir condemned the [[Universal Declaration of Human Rights]] in 1997, suggesting it be revised to place greater importance on economic growth over [[civil liberties]].<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=2 August 1997 |title=Madeleine Albright Sings Out |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/08/02/opinion/madeleine-albright-sings-out.html |url-status=live |access-date=15 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104181455/http://www.nytimes.com/1997/08/02/opinion/madeleine-albright-sings-out.html |archive-date=4 January 2018}}</ref> 

Mahathir has advocated for a balance between [[environmental protection]] and [[Natural resource management|natural resource use]] for economic growth in developing countries.<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 September 2019 |title=Mahathir highlights Malaysia's conservation efforts |url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/493474 |access-date=2 September 2023 |website=[[Malaysiakini]] |archive-date=2 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230902100302/https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/493474 |url-status=live }}</ref> He referred to the outcomes of the [[Earth Summit]] as "[[Eco-Imperialism|eco-imperialism]]", arguing that [[Global North and Global South|Global North]] countries put an undue burden on Global South countries for environmental degradation.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Mohamed |first=Mahathir bin |date=April 1999 |title=The Green Flag of Eco-Imperialism |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/0893-7850.00214 |journal=New Perspectives Quarterly |language=en |volume=16 |issue=2 |pages=8–9 |doi=10.1111/0893-7850.00214 |access-date=2 September 2023 |archive-date=2 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230902100302/https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/0893-7850.00214 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription }}</ref> In response to international scrutiny, he said in 2019 that linking [[palm oil]] production to [[Deforestation in Malaysia|deforestation]] was "baseless, unfair and unjustified" and that the [[Palm oil production in Malaysia|Malaysian palm oil sector]] had developed sustainably.<ref name=":18" />

=== Antisemitism ===
{{Quote box
| width = 25em
| align = right
| quote = We (Muslims) are actually very strong. 1.3 billion people cannot be simply wiped out. The Europeans killed 6 million Jews out of 12 million. But today the Jews rule the world by proxy. They get others to fight and die for them.
| salign = right
| source = –Mahathir Mohamad, 2003<ref name="Ressa">{{Cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/asiapcf/southeast/10/16/oic.mahathir/|title=Mahathir attack on Jews condemned|last=Ressa|first=Maria|date=17 October 2003|work=CNN |access-date=9 December 2020|archive-date=18 February 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070218103928/http://edition.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/asiapcf/southeast/10/16/oic.mahathir/|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}
A strident [[Criticism of the Israeli government|critic of Israel]], Mahathir has been accused of [[antisemitism]] throughout his political life.<ref>{{cite web |title=Global Anti-Semitism Still Potent |url=https://www.adl.org/news/op-ed/global-anti-semitism-still-potent |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180512112804/https://www.adl.org/news/op-ed/global-anti-semitism-still-potent |archive-date=12 May 2018 |access-date=11 May 2018 |website=[[The Anti-Defamation League]] |publisher=}}</ref><ref name=":8" /> In ''[[The Malay Dilemma]],'' he wrote that "Jews are not merely hook-nosed, but understand money instinctively".<ref>{{cite web |last=Sugarman |first=Daniel |date=17 January 2019 |title=Oxford Union criticised for inviting antisemitic Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad to speak |url=https://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/oxford-union-criticised-for-inviting-antisemitic-malaysian-prime-minister-mahathir-mohamad-to-speak-1.478744 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190125020442/https://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/oxford-union-criticised-for-inviting-antisemitic-malaysian-prime-minister-mahathir-mohamad-to-speak-1.478744 |archive-date=25 January 2019 |access-date=24 January 2019 |work=[[The Jewish Chronicle]]}}</ref> In August 1983, Mahathir claimed in a speech that [[Jews control the media|Jews control the international media]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last=Yegar |first=Moshe |date=2006 |title=Malaysia: Anti-Semitism Without Jews |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/25834698 |url-status=live |journal=[[Jewish Political Studies Review]] |volume=18 |issue=3/4 |pages=81–97 |issn=0792-335X |jstor=25834698 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211204152312/https://www.jstor.org/stable/25834698 |archive-date=4 December 2021 |access-date=4 December 2021}}</ref> In March 1994, he banned the screening of ''[[Schindler's List]]'' on the grounds that he viewed it as anti-German, pro-Jewish propaganda.<ref name=":1" /> During the collapse of the [[Malaysian ringgit|ringgit]] and the [[1997 Asian financial crisis#Malaysia|economic crisis]] in 1997, he made a series of remarks blaming Jews, in particular [[George Soros]], a Jewish "agenda", and "an [[international Jewish conspiracy]]" attempting to destroy the economies of Muslim countries.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Mydans |first=Seth |date=16 October 1997 |title=Malaysian Premier Sees Jews Behind Nation's Money Crisis |language=en-US |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/10/16/world/malaysian-premier-sees-jews-behind-nation-s-money-crisis.html |url-status=live |access-date=4 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211204151154/https://www.nytimes.com/1997/10/16/world/malaysian-premier-sees-jews-behind-nation-s-money-crisis.html |archive-date=4 December 2021 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=24 October 2003 |title=Mahathir's dark side |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |location=London |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/telegraph-view/3597972/Mahathirs-dark-side.html |url-status=live |access-date=5 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180421180307/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/telegraph-view/3597972/Mahathirs-dark-side.html |archive-date=21 April 2018}}</ref>

During an [[Organisation of Islamic Cooperation|Organization of Islamic Cooperation]] summit held in [[Kuala Lumpur]] in 2003, he accused Jews of "ruling the world by proxy" and getting "others to fight and die for them".<ref name="Ressa"/><ref>{{cite news |date=21 October 2003 |title=Views on Jews By Malaysian: His Own Words |work=The New York Times |agency=The Associated Press |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/21/world/views-on-jews-by-malaysian-his-own-words.html |url-status=live |access-date=11 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180512113255/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/21/world/views-on-jews-by-malaysian-his-own-words.html |archive-date=12 May 2018}}</ref> His speech was denounced by President [[George W. Bush]].<ref>{{cite news |date=21 October 2003 |title=Bush rebukes Malaysia leader over remarks about Jews |agency=CNN |url=http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/asiapcf/southeast/10/20/rice.mahathir/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=11 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160318091827/http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/asiapcf/southeast/10/20/rice.mahathir/index.html |archive-date=18 March 2016}}</ref> In 2012, he claimed he was "glad to be labelled antisemitic".<ref>{{cite web|title=Dr M says glad to be called 'Antisemitic'|url=http://antisemitism.org.il/article/74691/dr-m-says-glad-be-called-%E2%80%98antisemitic%E2%80%99|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120926220654/http://antisemitism.org.il/article/74691/dr-m-says-glad-be-called-%E2%80%98antisemitic%E2%80%99|archive-date=26 September 2012|access-date=29 September 2012|publisher=CFCA}}</ref> In a 2018 BBC interview he repeated similar statements, as well as disputing the number of Jews killed in [[the Holocaust]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/06/17/cambridge-union-audience-laughs-anti-semitic-joke-malaysian/|title=Cambridge Union audience laughs at anti-Semitic 'joke' by Malaysian prime minister|date=18 June 2019|work=The Telegraph|access-date=24 October 2019|language=en-GB|issn=0307-1235|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191024133349/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/06/17/cambridge-union-audience-laughs-anti-semitic-joke-malaysian/|archive-date=24 October 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2019, when asked why he had previously claimed that Jews are "inclined towards money" he responded that he had Jewish friends, and that "they are not like the other Jews, that's why they are my friends."<ref>{{Cite web|date=17 June 2019|title=Malaysia PM tells Cambridge Union his Jewish friends are 'not like other Jews'|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/mahathir-mohamed-anti-semitic-cambridge-union-jewish-malaysia-a8962246.html|access-date=7 November 2021|website=The Independent|first=Zamira|last=Rahim|language=en|archive-date=7 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107013237/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/mahathir-mohamed-anti-semitic-cambridge-union-jewish-malaysia-a8962246.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Mahathir has defended his comments about Jews as an exercise of [[Freedom of speech|free speech]], and by claiming that "the Jews do a lot of wrong things which force us to pass comment."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Cortellessa|first=Eric|title=A defiant Malaysian PM defends his anti-Semitism in the name of free speech|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/a-defiant-malaysian-pm-defends-his-anti-semitism-in-the-name-of-free-speech/|access-date=16 February 2021|work=The Times of Israel|date=26 September 2017|language=en-US|archive-date=26 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190926224725/https://www.timesofisrael.com/a-defiant-malaysian-pm-defends-his-anti-semitism-in-the-name-of-free-speech/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Lin|first=Koh Jun|date=25 September 2019|title=In speech at Columbia, Mahathir cites free speech for anti-Semitic remarks|url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/493315|access-date=16 February 2021|website=Malaysiakini|language=en|archive-date=26 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190926225023/https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/493315|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thejc.com/news/uk/prime-minister-of-malaysia-questioned-why-jews-resent-being-called-hook-nosed-cambridge-union-1.485530|access-date=7 November 2021|work=The Jewish Chronicle|date=18 June 2019|first=Lee|last=Harpin|title=Malaysia PM questioned why Jews 'resent' being called 'hook-nosed'|archive-date=7 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211107013237/https://www.thejc.com/news/uk/prime-minister-of-malaysia-questioned-why-jews-resent-being-called-hook-nosed-cambridge-union-1.485530|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== LGBT rights ===
Mahathir opposes an expansion of [[LGBT rights in Malaysia]].<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=26 October 2018 |title=Mahathir claims LGBT rights are 'Western values' not fit for Malaysia |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2170274/mahathir-mohamad-claims-lgbt-rights-are-western-values-will |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190606163319/https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2170274/mahathir-mohamad-claims-lgbt-rights-are-western-values-will |archive-date=6 June 2019 |access-date=29 May 2019 |website=[[South China Morning Post]] |language=en |agency=[[Agence France-Presse]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=25 October 2018 |title=Malaisie: le premier ministre rejette les revendications LGBT |url=https://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/2018/10/25/97001-20181025FILWWW00195-malaisie-le-premier-ministre-contre-les-revendications-lgbt.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115144840/https://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/2018/10/25/97001-20181025FILWWW00195-malaisie-le-premier-ministre-contre-les-revendications-lgbt.php |archive-date=15 November 2022 |access-date=15 November 2022 |website=[[Le Figaro]] |language=fr}}</ref> In 2001, Mahathir said that any homosexual ministers from the United Kingdom would be barred from entering Malaysia.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 November 2001 |title=Gay ministers barred, Malaysia tells UK |language=en-GB |work=[[BBC News]] |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/1632012.stm |access-date=5 May 2023 |archive-date=2 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802140647/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/1632012.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> During an October 2018 lecture to university students in [[Bangkok]], Mahathir contrasted Malaysian values with those of Western nations and cited "the institution of marriage [and] the family" in his opposition to LGBT.<ref name=":5" />

=== Comment about 2020 Nice stabbing ===
{{Quote box
| width = 25em
| align = right
| quote = The French in the course of their history have killed millions of people. Many were Muslims. Muslims have a right to be angry and to kill millions of French people for the massacres of the past. But by and large the Muslims have not applied the 'eye for an eye' law. Muslims don't. The French shouldn't. Instead the French should teach their people to respect other people's feeling.
| salign = right
| source = –Mahathir Mohamad, 2020
}}

In the aftermath of the [[2020 Nice stabbing]] and [[murder of Samuel Paty]], Mahathir posted remarks on his blog. Mahathir said that the attacks were wrong and against Islam, but also argued that Muslims had a right to be angry and kill French people for past massacres committed by the French. Mahathir's post was later circulated on his [[Twitter]] account, where it was labelled for "glorifying violence".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Duncan |first=Conrad |date=29 October 2020 |title=Muslims have a right to 'kill millions of French people', former Malaysian PM suggests |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/muslims-france-malaysian-pm-mahathir-mohamad-macron-charlie-hebdo-b1424838.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220521173614/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/muslims-france-malaysian-pm-mahathir-mohamad-macron-charlie-hebdo-b1424838.html |archive-date=21 May 2022 |access-date=21 May 2022 |website=[[The Independent]] |language=en}}</ref>

Mahathir was criticised for stoking tensions and hatred by the former Australian ambassador to France [[Brendan Berne]], Australian prime minister [[Scott Morrison]], and French [[Secretary of state#France|secretary of state for digital affairs]] [[Cédric O]].<ref name="SMH A bigot without principles">{{cite news |last1=Shield |first1=Bevan |date=30 October 2020 |title='A bigot without principles': ex-Malaysian PM condemned by former ambassador to France |work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |url=https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/a-bigot-without-principles-ex-malaysian-pm-condemned-by-former-ambassador-to-france-20201030-p569xn.html |url-status=live |access-date=29 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029215526/https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/a-bigot-without-principles-ex-malaysian-pm-condemned-by-former-ambassador-to-france-20201030-p569xn.html |archive-date=29 October 2020}}</ref> Malaysian cleric and politician [[Fathul Bari Mat Jahya]] also condemned Mahathir's remarks.<ref>{{Cite news |date=29 October 2020 |title=Muslims 'have right to kill millions of French': Malaysia's Mahathir sparks uproar with his response to Macron |language=en |work=[[South China Morning Post]] |url=https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3107680/muslims-have-right-kill-millions-french-malaysias-mahathir |access-date=29 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030042720/https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3107680/muslims-have-right-kill-millions-french-malaysias-mahathir |archive-date=30 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Ar |first1=Zuraira |date=29 October 2020 |title=Don't paint France with same brush, Umno's Fathul Bari tells Dr Mahathir after 'punish French' remarks |work=[[Malay Mail]] |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/10/29/dont-paint-france-with-same-brush-umnos-fathul-bari-tells-dr-mahathir-after/1917600 |url-status=live |access-date=30 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030115541/https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/10/29/dont-paint-france-with-same-brush-umnos-fathul-bari-tells-dr-mahathir-after/1917600 |archive-date=30 October 2020}}</ref>

Mahathir responded that his comments were taken out of context and he was not "promoting massacre of the French". Facebook and Twitter later removed his posts.<ref>{{cite news |title=Malaysia's Mahathir: Post on French killings taken out of context |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/30/malaysias-mahathir-post-on-french-killings-taken-out-of-context |access-date=31 October 2020 |work=[[Al Jazeera Arabic|Al Jazeera]] |date=30 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030184452/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/10/30/malaysias-mahathir-post-on-french-killings-taken-out-of-context |archive-date=30 October 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Personal life==
[[File:Tdm- -tdsh-wedding-day.jpg|thumb|Mahathir - Hasmah wedding day (5 August 1956)]]
Mahathir's hobbies include [[sailing]], [[Horse Riding|horse riding]] and [[carpentry]]. He has built a functioning [[steam train]] and a boat.<ref name=":12" /> Mahathir attributed his longevity to disciplined eating habits, reading newspapers daily, exercising and maintaining upright posture.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mohamad |first=Mahathir |date=14 December 2019 |title=Here's my recipe for staying healthy |url=https://www.nst.com.my/opinion/columnists/2019/12/547831/heres-my-recipe-staying-healthy |website=[[New Straits Times]] |access-date=30 August 2023 |archive-date=7 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221007131948/https://www.nst.com.my/opinion/columnists/2019/12/547831/heres-my-recipe-staying-healthy |url-status=live }}</ref> His favourite song is "[[My Way]]".<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 August 2018 |title=Dr M greeted with a rendition of 'My Way' in Japan |url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/437760 |website=[[Malaysiakini]] |archive-date=30 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230830001209/https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/437760 |url-status=live }}</ref> An avid reader, his favourite authors are [[Wilbur Smith]] and [[Jeffrey Archer]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lim |first=Ida |date=1 September 2019 |title=Pulled out of retirement, Dr M now settles for reading books instead of writing them |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2019/09/01/pulled-out-of-retirement-dr-m-now-settles-for-reading-books-instead-of-writ/1786307 |website=[[Malay Mail]] |language=en |archive-date=30 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230830002428/https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2019/09/01/pulled-out-of-retirement-dr-m-now-settles-for-reading-books-instead-of-writ/1786307 |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:Mahathir Mohamad, Rodrigo Duterte and their spouses.jpg|thumb|Mahathir and Hasmah with Philippine President [[Rodrigo Duterte]] and his partner [[Honeylet Avanceña]], 7 March 2019]]

===Marriage and family===
In college, he met his future wife, [[Hasmah Mohamad Ali]], a fellow medical student. They were married in August 1956. He and Hasmah had their first child, [[Marina Mahathir|Marina]], in 1957, before conceiving four others, Mirzan, [[Mokhzani Mahathir|Mokhzani]], Melinda, and [[Mukhriz Mahathir|Mukhriz]], as well as adopting two more, Maizura and Mazhar, over the following 28 years.<ref>{{Harvnb|Wain|2010|p=14}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.therakyatpost.com/2019/07/12/5-amazing-things-about-dr-siti-hasmah-you-should-know/|title=5 Amazing Things about Dr Siti Hasmah you should know|last=Kaur|first=Kirat|date=12 July 2019|work=[[The Rakyat Post]]|access-date=1 December 2020|archive-date=30 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930155119/https://www.therakyatpost.com/2019/07/12/5-amazing-things-about-dr-siti-hasmah-you-should-know/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Health ===
Mahathir underwent a [[Heart bypass|heart bypass operation]] in 2007, following two [[heart attacks]] over the previous two years. He had undergone the same operation after his heart attack in 1989.<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 July 2018 |title=Dr M: I would have died from first heart attack if not for science |url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/433622 |website=Malaysiakini |archive-date=14 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221014202607/https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/433622 |url-status=live }}</ref> After the 2007 operation, he suffered a chest infection. He was hospitalised for treatment of another chest infection in [[Australia]] in October 2010.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 October 2010 |title=Mahathir warded in Melbourne hospital with chest infection (Updated) |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2010/10/02/mahathir-warded-in-melbourne-hospital-with-chest-infection-updated |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220110094543/https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2010/10/02/mahathir-warded-in-melbourne-hospital-with-chest-infection-updated |archive-date=10 January 2022 |website=[[The Star (Malaysia)|The Star]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Porter|first=Barry|date=5 October 2010|title=Ex-Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Discharged From Australian Hospital|work=[[Bloomberg L.P.]]|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-10-05/ex-malaysia-prime-minister-mahathir-is-discharged-from-australian-hospital.html|url-status=live|access-date=12 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629120136/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-10-05/ex-malaysia-prime-minister-mahathir-is-discharged-from-australian-hospital.html|archive-date=29 June 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2 October 2010 |title=Former Malaysian PM sick in Melbourne hospital |language=en-AU |work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2010-10-02/former-malaysian-pm-sick-in-melbourne-hospital/2691474 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930101756/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2010-10-02/former-malaysian-pm-sick-in-melbourne-hospital/2691474 |archive-date=30 September 2022}}</ref>

In December 2021, Mahathir was admitted to the [[National Heart Institute (Malaysia)|National Heart Institute]] (IJN) for a medical check-up and observation.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 December 2021 |title=Dr M admitted to IJN for medical check-up |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/12/16/dr-m-admitted-to-ijn-for-medical-check-up |website=The Star |language=en |archive-date=12 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220112101135/https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2021/12/16/dr-m-admitted-to-ijn-for-medical-check-up |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=16 December 2021 |title=Mahathir admitted at IJN for next few days |url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/603358|website=Malaysiakini |archive-date=12 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220112101137/https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/603358 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ayamany |first=Keertan |date=16 December 2021 |title=Dr Mahathir admitted to IJN, to undergo full medical check-up |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2021/12/16/dr-mahathir-admitted-to-ijn-to-undergo-full-medical-check-up/2029005 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327160758/https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2021/12/16/dr-mahathir-admitted-to-ijn-to-undergo-full-medical-check-up/2029005 |archive-date=27 March 2022 |website=[[Malay Mail]] |language=en}}</ref> He was discharged after several days.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 December 2021 |title=Mahathir discharged from IJN today |url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/604262 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220417105449/https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/604262 |archive-date=17 April 2022 |website=[[Malaysiakini]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=23 December 2021 |title=Former Malaysian PM Mahathir discharged from National Heart Institute |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/malaysia-former-pm-mahathir-discharged-hospital-national-health-institute-2398116 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327162605/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/malaysia-former-pm-mahathir-discharged-hospital-national-health-institute-2398116 |archive-date=27 March 2022 |website=[[Channel News Asia]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=23 December 2021 |title=Ex-Malaysia PM Mahathir discharged from heart institute |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/ex-malaysia-pm-mahathir-discharged-from-heart-institute |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327162605/https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/ex-malaysia-pm-mahathir-discharged-from-heart-institute |archive-date=27 March 2022 |website=[[Straits Times]] |language=en}}</ref> In January 2022, Mahathir underwent an unspecified elective medical procedure at the IJN.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 January 2022 |title=Malaysia's Mahathir undergoes successful 'elective medical procedure' |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3162709/malaysias-former-pm-mahathir-mohamad-undergoes-successful |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109090320/https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3162709/malaysias-former-pm-mahathir-mohamad-undergoes-successful |archive-date=9 January 2022 |website=[[South China Morning Post]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=13 January 2022 |title=Former Malaysian PM Mahathir discharged from hospital after medical procedure |language=en |work=[[Reuters]] |agency=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/former-malaysian-pm-mahathir-discharged-hospital-after-medical-procedure-2022-01-13/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220424154748/https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/former-malaysian-pm-mahathir-discharged-hospital-after-medical-procedure-2022-01-13/ |archive-date=24 April 2022}}</ref> He was readmitted later the same month, and placed in the [[coronary care unit]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Former Malaysia prime minister Mahathir Mohamad readmitted to hospital: Reports |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/malaysia-mahathir-mohamad-readmitted-ijn-national-heart-institute-2452991 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122105658/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/malaysia-mahathir-mohamad-readmitted-ijn-national-heart-institute-2452991 |archive-date=22 January 2022 |access-date=22 January 2022 |website=[[Channel News Asia]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ex-Malaysia PM Mahathir, 96, hospitalized at heart institute |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/malaysia-pm-mahathir-96-hospitalized-heart-institute-82412831 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122091933/https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/malaysia-pm-mahathir-96-hospitalized-heart-institute-82412831 |archive-date=22 January 2022 |access-date=22 January 2022 |website=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=22 January 2022 |title=Former Malaysian PM Mahathir in stable condition in hospital |language=en |work=[[Reuters]] |agency=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/former-malaysian-pm-mahathir-mohamad-admitted-hospital-2022-01-22/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220424155132/https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/former-malaysian-pm-mahathir-mohamad-admitted-hospital-2022-01-22/ |archive-date=24 April 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=22 January 2022 |title=Former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir is hospitalized in stable condition |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/22/former-malaysian-pm-mahathir-mohamad-admitted-to-hospital.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220424155132/https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/22/former-malaysian-pm-mahathir-mohamad-admitted-to-hospital.html |archive-date=24 April 2022 |website=[[CNBC]] |language=en}}</ref> He continued rehabilitation and treatment after being discharged.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zahiid |first=Syed Jaymal |date=5 February 2022 |title=Dr Mahathir discharged from IJN, to recuperate at home |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2022/02/05/dr-mahathir-discharged-from-ijn-to-recuperate-at-home/2039574 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205062016/https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2022/02/05/dr-mahathir-discharged-from-ijn-to-recuperate-at-home/2039574 |archive-date=5 February 2022 |access-date=5 February 2022 |website=[[Malay Mail]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=5 February 2022|title=Mahathir discharged from IJN|url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/609550|access-date=5 February 2022|website=Malaysiakini|archive-date=5 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205101858/https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/609550|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|agency=Reuters|date=5 February 2022|title=Malaysia ex-PM Mahathir discharged from hospital|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/malaysia-ex-pm-mahathir-discharged-hospital-2022-02-05/|access-date=5 February 2022|archive-date=5 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205062258/https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/malaysia-ex-pm-mahathir-discharged-hospital-2022-02-05/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In August 2022, Mahathir tested positive for [[COVID-19]] and was admitted to the IJN for observation.<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 August 2022 |title=Dr Mahathir tests positive for Covid-19, admitted to hospital |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2022/08/31/dr-mahathir-tests-positive-for-covid-19-admitted-to-hospital |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230820174444/https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2022/08/31/dr-mahathir-tests-positive-for-covid-19-admitted-to-hospital |archive-date=20 August 2023 |website=[[The Star (Malaysia)]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=31 August 2022 |title=Mahathir, 97, contracts Covid-19 |url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/634092 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220902012408/https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/634092 |archive-date=2 September 2022 |website=[[Malaysiakini]]}}</ref> He was discharged after receiving treatment.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 September 2022 |title=Dr M discharged from IJN, back in home quarantine |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2022/09/04/dr-m-discharged-from-ijn |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220904170055/https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2022/09/04/dr-m-discharged-from-ijn |archive-date=4 September 2022 |website=[[The Star (Malaysia)|The Star]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=4 September 2022 |title=Dr M gets discharged from IJN |url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/634520 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220905210038/https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/634520 |archive-date=5 September 2022 |website=[[Malaysiakini]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=4 September 2022 |title=Former Malaysia PM Mahathir, 97, discharged from hospital after COVID-19 treatment |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/mahathir-mohamad-former-malaysia-prime-minister-covid-19-discharged-hospital-2920036 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220905201233/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/mahathir-mohamad-former-malaysia-prime-minister-covid-19-discharged-hospital-2920036 |archive-date=5 September 2022|website=[[Channel News Asia]] |language=en}}</ref>

In August 2023, Mahathir was hospitalised with an infection, he was discharged days later.<ref>{{cite news |date=5 August 2023 |title=Malaysia's ex-PM Mahathir discharged from hospital after checks: Source |newspaper=The Straits Times |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/malaysian-ex-pm-mahathir-to-be-discharged-from-hospital-on-friday |archive-date=19 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230819213140/https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/malaysian-ex-pm-mahathir-to-be-discharged-from-hospital-on-friday |url-status=live }}</ref> In January 2024, he was again hospitalised due to an infection,<ref>{{cite news |date=13 February 2024 |title=Former Malaysia PM Mahathir hospitalized again with infection |work=Rappler |url=https://www.rappler.com/world/asia-pacific/former-malaysia-prime-minister-mahathir-mohammad-hospitalized-february-13-2024/}}</ref> and again six months later in July due to coughing.<ref>{{cite web|last1=|first1=|title=Malaysia's former PM Mahathir hospitalised over coughing|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/malaysias-former-pm-mahathir-hospitalised-over-coughing-2024-07-18/|website=Reuters|date=18 July 2024|access-date=19 July 2024|language=en}}</ref>

On 15 October 2024, Mahathir was admitted to the hospital due to a respiratory infection;<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 October 2024 |title=Former Malaysian PM Mahathir, 99, hospitalised with respiratory infection |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/former-malaysian-pm-mahathir-99-hospitalised-with-respiratory-infection-2024-10-16/ |website=Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=16 October 2024 |title=Former Malaysian PM Mahathir Mohamad hospitalized with respiratory infection |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/2575465/world |access-date= |website=Arab News |language=en}}</ref> He was discharged on 28 October.<ref>{{cite news |title=Malaysia’s ex-leader Mahathir, 99, discharged from hospital |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/10/29/malaysias-ex-leader-mahathir-99-discharged-from-hospital |access-date=29 October 2024 |agency=Al Jazeera}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-29 |title=Malaysia's former PM Mahathir discharged from hospital |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/malaysia-s-former-pm-mahathir-discharged-from-hospital/7843020.html |access-date= |website=Voice of America |language=en}}</ref>

==Election results==
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em ; font-size:95%"
|+ '''[[Dewan Rakyat|Parliament of Malaysia]]'''<ref name="election results">{{cite web|url=http://semak.spr.gov.my/spr/laporan/5_KedudukanAkhir.php |title=Keputusan Pilihan Raya Umum Parlimen/Dewan Undangan Negeri |publisher=[[Election Commission of Malaysia]] |language=ms |access-date=4 February 2017 }} Percentage figures based on total turnout.</ref>
!|Year
!|Constituency
!colspan=2|Candidate
!|Votes
!|Pct
!colspan=2|Opponent(s)
!|Votes
!|Pct
!|Ballots cast
!|Majority
!|Turnout
|-
|[[1964 Malaysian general election|1964]]
|rowspan=2|'''P008 [[Kota Star Selatan (federal constituency)|Kota Star Selatan]], Kedah'''
|{{Party shading/Barisan Nasional}} |
|{{nowrap|'''Mahathir Mohamad'''}} ([[United Malays National Organisation|'''UMNO''']])
|align="right" |'''12,406'''
|'''60.22%'''
|{{Party shading/PAS}} |
|{{nowrap|[[:ms:Ahmad Shukri Abdul Shukur|Ahmad Shukri Abdul Shukur]]}} ([[Malaysian Islamic Party|PAS]])
|align="right" |8,196
|39.78%
|21,440
|4,210
|82.8%
|-
|[[1969 Malaysian general election|1969]]
|{{Party shading/Barisan Nasional}} |
|Mahathir Mohamad ([[United Malays National Organisation|UMNO]])
|align="right" |12,032
|48.03%
|{{Party shading/PAS}} |
|'''[[Yusof Rawa]]''' ([[Malaysian Islamic Party|'''PAS''']])
|align="right" |'''13,021'''
|'''51.97%'''
|25,679
|989
|78.6%
|-
|[[1974 Malaysian general election|1974]]
|rowspan=5|'''P004 [[Kubang Pasu (federal constituency)|Kubang Pasu]], Kedah'''
|{{Party shading/Barisan Nasional}} |
|'''Mahathir Mohamad''' ([[United Malays National Organisation|'''UMNO''']])
| colspan="9" style="background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center;"|Unopposed
|-
|[[1978 Malaysian general election|1978]]
|{{Party shading/Barisan Nasional}} |
|'''Mahathir Mohamad''' ([[United Malays National Organisation|'''UMNO''']])
|align="right" |'''18,198'''
|'''64.64%'''
|{{Party shading/PAS}} |
|[[:ms:Halim Arshat|Halim Arshat]] ([[Malaysian Islamic Party|PAS]])
|align="right" |9,953
|35.36%
|N/A
|8,245
|78.36%
|-
|[[1982 Malaysian general election|1982]]
|{{Party shading/Barisan Nasional}} |
|'''Mahathir Mohamad''' ([[United Malays National Organisation|'''UMNO''']])
|align="right" |'''24,524'''
|'''73.67%'''
|{{Party shading/PAS}} |
|[[Yusof Rawa]] ([[Malaysian Islamic Party|PAS]])
|align="right" |8,763
|26.33%
|34,340
|15,761
|78.79%
|-
|[[1986 Malaysian general election|1986]]
|{{Party shading/Barisan Nasional}} |
|'''Mahathir Mohamad''' ([[United Malays National Organisation|'''UMNO''']])
|align="right" |'''25,452'''
|'''71.48%'''
|{{Party shading/PAS}} |
|[[Azizan Ismail]] ([[Malaysian Islamic Party|PAS]])
|align="right" |10,154
|28.52%
|36,409
|15,298
|74.21%
|-
|[[1990 Malaysian general election|1990]]
|{{Party shading/Barisan Nasional}} |
|'''Mahathir Mohamad''' ([[United Malays National Organisation|'''UMNO''']])
|align="right" |'''30,681'''
|'''78.07%'''
|{{Party shading/S46}} |
|[[:ms:Sudin bin Wahab|Sudin Wahab]] ([[Parti Melayu Semangat 46|S46]])
|align="right" |8,619
|21.93%
|40,570
|22,062
|77.51%
|-
|[[1995 Malaysian general election|1995]]
|rowspan=2|'''P006 [[Kubang Pasu (federal constituency)|Kubang Pasu]], Kedah'''
|{{Party shading/Barisan Nasional}} |
|'''Mahathir Mohamad''' ([[United Malays National Organisation|'''UMNO''']])
|align="right" |'''24,495'''
|'''77.12%'''
|{{Party shading/PAS}} |
|[[Ahmad Mohd Alim]] ([[Malaysian Islamic Party|PAS]])
|align="right" |7,269
|22.88%
|33,010
|17,226
|73.61%
|-
|[[1999 Malaysian general election|1999]]
|{{Party shading/Barisan Nasional}} |
|'''Mahathir Mohamad''' ([[United Malays National Organisation|'''UMNO''']])
|align="right" |'''22,399'''
|'''63.22%'''
|{{Party shading/PAS}} |
|[[:ms:Subky Abdul Latif|Ahmad Subki Abd. Latif]] ([[Malaysian Islamic Party|PAS]])
|align="right" |12,261
|34.61%
|36,106
|10,138
|78.62%
|-
|rowspan=2|[[2018 Malaysian general election|2018]]
|rowspan=6|'''P004 [[Langkawi (federal constituency)|Langkawi]], Kedah'''
|rowspan=2 {{Party shading/PKR}} |
|rowspan=2|'''Mahathir Mohamad''' ([[Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia|'''BERSATU''']])
|rowspan=2 align=right|'''18,954'''
|rowspan=2|'''54.90%'''
|{{Party shading/Barisan Nasional}} |
|[[Nawawi Ahmad]] ([[United Malays National Organisation|UMNO]])
|align="right" |10,061
|29.14%
|rowspan=2|35,250
|rowspan=2|8,893
|rowspan=2|80.87%
|-
|{{Party shading/PAS}} |
|Zubir Ahmad ([[Malaysian Islamic Party|PAS]])
|align="right" |5,512
|15.96%
|-
|rowspan=4|[[2022 Malaysian general election|2022]]
|rowspan=4 bgcolor={{party color|Homeland Fighter's Party}}| 
|rowspan=4|Mahathir Mohamad ([[Homeland Fighter's Party|PEJUANG]])
|rowspan=4 align=right|4,566
|rowspan=4|9.62%
|bgcolor={{party color|Perikatan Nasional}} |
|'''[[Mohd Suhaimi Abdullah]]''' ([[Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia|'''BERSATU''']])
|align=right|'''25,463''' 
|'''53.63%'''
|rowspan=4|48,123
|rowspan=4|13,518
|rowspan=4|71.10%
|-
|{{party shading/Barisan Nasional}} |
|Armishah Siradj ([[United Malays National Organisation|UMNO]])
|align=right|11,945
|25.16%
|-
|{{party shading/PH}} |
|Zabidi Yahya ([[National Trust Party (Malaysia)|AMANAH]])
|align=right|5,417
|11.41%
|-
|{{party shading/Independent}} |
|Abd Kadir Sainudin ([[Independent politician|IND]])
|align=right|89
|align=right|0.19%
|}

==Honors, awards and recognitions==
{{Main|List of awards and honours received by Mahathir Mohamad}}
[[File:Putin in Malaysia - August 5 2003 - 8.jpg|thumb|In August 2003, Russian President [[Vladimir Putin]] awarded Mahathir the [[Order of Friendship|Russian Order of Friendship]]]]
Mahathir received numerous awards and recognitions, including the [[Family Order of Laila Utama|Royal Family Order of Brunei]] (1997), [[Order of Mubarak the Great]] (1997), Honorary [[Doctor of Philosophy|Ph.D.]] in Humanities from the [[National University of Mongolia]] (1997), Honorary Ph.D. in Literature from [[Al-Azhar University]] (1998), [[U Thant Peace Award]] from the [[United Nations|United Nations Organization]] (1999), [[Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland]] (2002), [[Order of Friendship|Russian Order of Friendship]] (2003), Honorary Ph.D. from [[Tsinghua University]] (2004), Honorary Ph.D. from the [[University of Santo Tomas]] (2012), Honorary Ph.D. in Laws from the [[National University of Singapore]] (2018), [[Order of the Paulownia Flowers|Japanese Order of the Paulownia Flowers]] (2018), Honorary Ph.D. from [[Qatar University]] (2019), Honorary Ph.D. from the [[International University of Japan]] (2019), [[Nishan-e-Pakistan|Order of Pakistan]] (2019), and the [[Order of the Republic (Turkey)|Order of the Republic of Turkey]] (2019).

==Bibliography==
===Books===
* ''[[The Malay Dilemma]]'' (1970) {{ISBN|981-204-355-1}}
* ''The Challenge'' (1986) {{ISBN|967-978-091-0}}
* ''Regionalism, Globalism, and Spheres of Influence: ASEAN and the Challenge of Change into the 21st century'' (1989) {{ISBN|981-303-549-8}}
* ''Mahathir, Great Malaysian Hero'' (1990) {{ISBN|983-9683-00-4}}
* ''The Asia That Can Say No''{{#tag:ref|[[Japanese language|Japanese]]:「NO」と言えるアジア|group=note}}{{#tag:ref|In collaboration with [[Shintaro Ishihara]]|group=note}} (1994) {{ISBN|433-405-217-7}}
* ''The Pacific Rim in the 21st century'' (1995)
* ''The Challenges of Turmoil'' (1998) {{ISBN|967-978-652-8}}
* ''The Way Forward'' (1998) {{ISBN|0-297-84229-3}}
* ''A New Deal for Asia'' (1999)
* ''Islam & The Muslim Ummah'' (2001) {{ISBN|967-978-738-9}}
* ''Globalisation and the New Realities'' (2002)
* ''Reflections on Asia'' (2002) {{ISBN|967-978-813-X}}
* ''The Malaysian Currency Crisis: How and why it Happened'' (2003) {{ISBN|967-978-756-7}}
* ''Achieving True Globalization'' (2004) {{ISBN|967-978-904-7}}
* ''Islam, Knowledge, and Other Affairs'' (2006) {{ISBN|983-3698-03-4}}
* ''Principles of Public Administration: An Introduction'' (2007) {{ISBN|978-983-195-253-5}}
* ''Chedet.com Blog Merentasi Halangan (Bilingual)'' (2008) {{ISBN|967-969-589-1}}
* ''A Doctor in the House: The Memoirs of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad'' (2011) {{ISBN|9789675997228}}
* ''Doktor Umum: Memoir Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad''{{#tag:ref|This book was the BM version of his best-selling memoir, ''A Doctor in the House: The Memoirs of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad''.|group=note}} (2012) {{ISBN|9789674150259}}
* ''Blogging to Unblock (Book 2): A Citizen's Rights'' (2013) {{ISBN|9789679696288}}
* ''Dr. M: Apa Habaq Orang Muda?'' (2016) {{ISBN|9789671367995}}
* ''Capturing Hope: The Struggle Continues for a New Malaysia'' (2021) {{ISBN|9789672923183}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Malaysia|Biography|Politics}}
*[[Mahathir, the Musical]]
*[[Mahathir Science Award]]
*[[List of oldest living state leaders]]

== Notes ==
{{Reflist|group=note}}

==References==
{{reflist|20em}}

===Cited texts===
* {{cite book|last1=Dhillon|first1=Karminder Singh|title=Malaysian Foreign Policy in the Mahathir Era 1981–2003: Dilemmas of Development|year=2009|publisher=NUS Press|isbn=978-9971-69-399-2}}
* {{cite book|last1=Milne|first1=R. S.|last2=Mauzy|first2=Diane K.|title=Malaysian Politics under Mahathir|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5hYemBg43pkC|year=1999|publisher=[[Routledge]]|isbn=0-415-17143-1|ref=CITEREFMilne & Mauzy1999}}
* {{cite book|last1=Morais|first1=J. Victor|title=Mahathir: A Profile in Courage|year=1982|publisher=Eastern Universities Press|oclc=8687329}}
* {{cite book|last1=Sankaran|first1=Ramanathan|last2=Mohd Hamdan Adnan|title=Malaysia's 1986 General Election: the Urban-Rural Dichotomy|year=1988|publisher=Institute of Southeast Asian Studies|isbn=981-3035-12-9|ref=CITEREFSankaran & Hamdan1988}}
* {{cite book|last1=Stewart|first1=Ian|title=The Mahathir Legacy: a Nation Divided, a Region at Risk|year=2003|publisher=Allen & Unwin|isbn=1-86508-977-X}}
* {{cite book|last1=Wain|first1=Barry|title=[[Malaysian Maverick|Malaysian Maverick: Mahathir Mohamad in Turbulent Times]]|year=2010|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan|isbn=978-0-230-23873-2}}
* James Chin & Joern Dosch. Malaysia Post Mahathir: a decade of change?. Marshall Cavendish. 2016. {{ISBN|9814677558}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Mahathir Mohamad}}
* {{facebook|TunDrMahathir}}
* {{pom|3517}}
* {{Wikiquote-inline|Mahathir bin Mohamad}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-off}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Mohamed Yaacob]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Ministry of Education (Malaysia)|Federal Minister of Education]]|years=1974–1977}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Musa Hitam]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Hamzah Abu Samah]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Ministry of International Trade and Industry (Malaysia)|Federal Minister of International Trade and Industry]]|years=1978–1981}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Abdullah Ahmad Badawi]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|rows=2|before=[[Hussein Onn]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia]]|years=1978–1981}}
{{s-aft|after=Musa Hitam}}
|-
{{s-ttl|title=[[Prime Minister of Malaysia]]|years=1981–2003}}
{{s-aft|rows=3|after=Abdullah Ahmad Badawi}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Abdul Taib Mahmud]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Ministry of Defence (Malaysia)|Federal Minister of Defence]]|years=1981–1986}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=Musa Hitam}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Ministry of Home Affairs (Malaysia)|Federal Minister of Home Affairs]]|years=1986–1999}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Anwar Ibrahim]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Ministry of Finance (Malaysia)|Federal Minister of Finance]]|years=1998–1999}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Daim Zainuddin]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=Daim Zainuddin}}
{{s-ttl|title=Federal Minister of Finance|years=2001–2003}}
{{s-aft|after=Abdullah Ahmad Badawi}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Najib Razak]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Prime Minister of Malaysia|years=2018–2020}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Muhyiddin Yassin]]}}
|-
{{s-dip}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Jean Chrétien]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Chair of the [[Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation]]|years=1998}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Jenny Shipley]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Thabo Mbeki]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Secretary General of the [[Non-Aligned Movement]]|years=2003}}
{{s-aft|after=Abdullah Ahmad Badawi}}
|-
{{s-ppo}}
{{s-bef|rows=2|before=Hussein Onn}}
{{s-ttl|title=Deputy President of the [[United Malays National Organisation]]|years=1976–1981}}
{{s-aft|after=Musa Hitam}}
|-
{{s-ttl|title=President of the [[United Malays National Organisation]]|years=1981–2003}}
{{s-aft|after=Abdullah Ahmad Badawi}}
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{{s-new}}
{{s-ttl|title=Chairman of [[Pakatan Harapan]]|years=2016–2020}}
{{s-aft|after=Anwar Ibrahim}}
{{s-end}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Mahathir Mohamad}}
[[Category:Mahathir Mohamad]]
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