The 97-year-old elder statesman who twice led Malaysia suffered his first electoral defeat in 53 years.
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has misplaced his parliamentary seat in Saturday’s common elections, a defeat more likely to finish the profession of considered one of Asia’s most enduring politicians.
Mahathir got here in fourth in a five-way combat in Langkawi, a resort island in Malaysia’s northwest, which he had received with a big majority within the earlier ballot in 2018. Including insult to harm, he additionally misplaced his deposit.
“It’s a serious shock that not solely has he [Mahathir] misplaced, however he has misplaced in a spectacular trend,” mentioned Al Jazeera’s Florence Looi, reporting from outdoors Kuala Lumpur.
“He has not solely misplaced his seat however has misplaced his deposit as a result of he has not been capable of get greater than an eighth of the votes forged. His get together has additionally not managed to win a single seat.”
It was the 97-year-old’s first electoral defeat in additional than half a century. He was Malaysia’s prime minister for 22 years from 1981 till he introduced his shock retirement in 2003.
He returned to energetic politics because the multibillion-dollar scandal at state fund 1MDB unfolded, and becoming a member of forces along with his former deputy turned rival Anwar Ibrahim to defeat the then ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition – a grouping that they had each as soon as been a part of – to turn out to be prime minister in opposition to in 2018, simply two months shy of his 93rd birthday.
‘Crooks or jailbirds’
Visibly slowed by age however nonetheless trying wholesome, Mahathir ran this time round below the banner of his personal Pejuang get together, and had laughed off recommendations he ought to retire, telling reporters earlier than the election that he had a “good likelihood” of successful.
“I’m nonetheless standing round and speaking to you, I feel, making cheap solutions,” Mahathir mentioned.
He added his get together wouldn't type any alliances with events led by “crooks or jailbirds” – an obvious reference to the United Malays Nationwide Organisation (UMNO), the get together of jailed former Prime Minister Najib Razak that Mahathir himself as soon as headed.
Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s BN coalition – which is dominated by UMNO – misplaced floor to rival alliances led by Anwar and former Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, one other former UMNO stalwart who now leads the Perikatan Nasional (PN) alliance which incorporates the Islamic get together, PAS.
Mahathir was usually criticised for his hardline rule when he led the Southeast Asian nation from 1981 to 2003, however he was additionally hailed for serving to rework the nation into one of many world’s high exporters of high-tech items.
His lengthy management supplied political stability, and he gained the title of “Father of Fashionable Malaysia” as he oversaw the development of key initiatives such because the Kuala Lumpur Worldwide Airport, and North South freeway and opened the nation to overseas funding.
Mahathir had warned that Najib can be freed if his allies received Saturday’s election.
He additionally supplied to turn out to be prime minister a 3rd time. Observers mentioned there was no likelihood of that taking place and Pejuang didn't win any seats it contested.
His titanic clashes with opposition chief Anwar, the person he sacked as his deputy in 1998 and accused of sodomy, have dominated and formed Malaysian politics because the Nineteen Nineties.
However in the long run, it was age that proved his greatest opponent.
“Mahathir’s time has handed,” Bridget Welsh of the College of Nottingham Malaysia instructed the AFP information company forward of the election.
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