Contents
Mahathir Mohamad
The Malaysian prime minister associated with rapid industrialisation and an extraordinary return to office in his nineties.
Industrial policy · Vision 2020
- Born
- 10 July 1925
- Birthplace
- Malaysia
More people
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Franklin D. RooseveltLeading the United States through the Great Depression and most of the Second World War.Mahathir Mohamad
Mahathir Mohamad led Malaysia from 1981 to 2003 and again from 2018 to 2020. His legacy combines major economic development with controversy over authoritarian methods and political repression.
Early life
Alor Setar
Grew up in Kedah.
Medicine
Trained in Singapore and worked as a doctor before national politics.
Career
- 1964
Parliament
Won election to Malaysia’s legislature.
- 1981
Prime minister
Began his first period in office.
- 2018
Return to power
Led the opposition coalition that defeated Barisan Nasional.
- 2020
Second premiership ends
Resigned during a political crisis after returning to office in 2018.
Policies & milestones
Industrial policy
Promoted manufacturing and national projects including Proton.
Vision 2020
Set out a long-term development ambition.
Electoral change
Returned as prime minister after a historic change of government.
Beyond work
Writing
Published The Malay Dilemma before becoming prime minister.
Contested legacy
His governments faced criticism over detention without trial and limits on dissent.
Sources & photo credit
Life, career and references ↗Career and work — perdana.org.my ↗Photo: kremlin.ru. CC BY 4.0 · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
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