Malaysian Maverick: Mahathir Mohamad in Turbulent Times Read online

  Source: Perdana Leadership Foundation

  Familiar face: Malaysian supporters promoted a Mahathir personality cult. Institutes of higher learning were urged to introduce a course on his thoughts, attempts were made to nominate him for a Nobel Prize, and he accepted an award as Man of the Millennium.

  Source: Perdana Leadership Foundation

  On parade: Mahathir inspected Malaysian troops at the National Monument in Kuala Lumpur on Warriors Day, 31 July 2002. As a backbencher, he opposed the presence of foreign forces in Malaysia, but as prime minister he did not seek their removal.

  Source: Information Department, Malaysia

  Global exposure: Mahathir with United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan. Mahathir used regular appearances at the U.N. General Assembly to lash the West and promote his pet causes.

  Source: Perdana Leadership Foundation

  Anti-apartheid allies: Mahathir with South African President Nelson Mandela. Malaysian companies made a major investment in South Africa after Mahathir campaigned to end white rule and the two countries developed close ties.

  Source: Perdana Leadership Foundation

  Wary neighbours: Mahathir with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew. Political adversaries from the time Singapore was part of Malaysia in 1963-65, they settled some bilateral issues, but problems remained.

  Source: Perdana Leadership Foundation

  Cry for unity: In traditional dress, Mahathir appealed to Malays to close ranks at the UMNO General Assembly, 15 May 2000. The largest ethnic community was badly split over the treatment of his former deputy, Anwar Ibrahim.

  Source: Bernama

  Surprise: A weeping Mahathir was mobbed by delegates after unexpectedly announcing his resignation at the UMNO General Assembly, 23 June 2002. He later agreed to stay on for 16 months, becoming the "lame duck" leader he vowed never to be.

  Source: Bernama

  Over to you: Mahathir officially handed the prime ministership to Abdullah Badawi, 31 October 2003. The smiles soon vanished as Mahathir criticized Abdullah's leadership and policies, and agitated for his replacement.

  Source: Information Department, Malaysia

  Fond farewell: Civil servants jostled to say goodbye to Mahathir as he left the prime minister's office for the last time. He occupied the post for more than 22 years, served consecutively by four deputies.

  Source: Information Department, Malaysia