Ninety-seven years old, walking without a cane and as whip-sharp with a sound bite as any of his rivals, two-time prime minister Mahathir Mohamad insists he has the energy for one “last effort” in the bear pit of Malaysian politics as he prepares for his 11th general election.
AdvertisementOne of the world’s oldest politicians, Mahathir says his supporters cajoled him into contesting the November 19 polls as the head of a new party in order to right the wrongs of his previous United Malays National Organisation (Umno) party.
“I don’t have to continue. In fact, I don’t want to continue,” he told This Week In Asia at his spacious office in the administrative capital of Putrajaya.
Advertisement“But my own supporters felt that this should be my last effort because although I am 97 years old, I am still functional, I can still move around, be active, still debate and make speeches.
“They felt that I should still, for the last time, perhaps lead the party. I cannot deny them for selfish reasons. If I’m only thinking about myself, I will not be in politics now.”
97 year-old ex-PM Mahathir makes ‘last effort’ to serve in Malaysian politics
