Dr. Mahathir Mohamad has said he wants to be Prime Minister of Malaysia once more. The 98-year-old leader made this statement at a book launch event held in Putrajaya. The event was organized by the Perdana Leadership Foundation (PLF).
The book is titled “A Conversation with Tun Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad: A Legacy of Leadership and Vision.” It tells the story of his life, ideas, and work as a national leader.
Reports from The Rakyat Post and MalaysiaKini say that Mahathir Mohamad shared one of his main goals if he becomes Prime Minister again. He said he would remove the punishments placed on people for talking about race, religion, or the monarchy.
Mahathir Mohamad was quoted by MalaysiaKini as saying, “A leader should know what the people are thinking. You cannot lead if people are afraid to speak. We need freedom of speech. We also need freedom in business. There must be strong ties between the public and private sectors. Our factories must improve. Things must be made easier for all.”
His remarks have caused a mix of reactions online. Some people welcomed his words about freedom. Others were not happy. Many said he had once used racial politics to divide the nation. Some asked how many more times he plans to lead the country.
Mahathir first became Prime Minister in 1981. He led Malaysia for 22 years until he stepped down in 2003. During that time, his party won five national elections. He became known as the “father of modern Malaysia” for his role in the country’s growth.
After retiring, he stayed out of politics for 15 years. But in 2018, at the age of 92, he made a comeback. He ran for office again due to large corruption cases linked to then-Prime Minister Najib Razak.
On May 9, 2018, his party won the general election. On May 10, Mahathir took the oath to be Prime Minister again. He became the world’s oldest elected leader at that time.
His second time as Prime Minister ended in 2020. He stepped down suddenly. This left the country without a government for a short time. In the general election held on November 19, 2022, Mahathir lost his seat in Parliament.
Despite his age and recent loss, Mahathir Mohamad still wants to return to power. He believes the country needs his leadership again. He said that people need the freedom to talk about key issues. He believes this is the only way for Malaysia to grow.
Still, many are unsure about his return. Some believe he had his chance and that younger leaders should now take charge. Others feel he is the only one with the experience to guide the nation.
Mahathir’s strong opinions and past actions have always created debate. While many see him as a wise and brave leader, others think he held too much control and did not allow open discussion.
His recent words have restarted that debate. As Malaysia looks to the future, people are asking if Mahathir’s return would help the country or bring back old problems.
For now, Mahathir has made his choice clear. He wants one more chance to lead. Whether the people will support him again remains to be seen.