Meet Mahathir Bin Mohamad, the man who inspired Jack Ma to start Alibaba Group
Mahathir is dubbed the ‘Father of Modern Malaysia’ owing to his 22 years in power.
By ET Bureau |
Agencies
All about Malaysia’s PM Mahathir Bin Mohamad, whose work — and mind — gave Alibaba Group founder Jack Ma the motivation to establish his company 20 years ago.
1. Mahathir is dubbed the ‘Father of Modern Malaysia’ owing to his 22 years in power until 2003, when he retired.
2. He came out of retirement to challenge his former protégé, Najib Razak, and was sworn in as Malaysia’s seventh prime minister last month.
3. At 92, he is the world’s oldest leader, 21 years older than US President Donald Trump, twice the age of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
4. A former physician, known as ‘Dr. M’, Mahathir had joined the United Malays National Organization (UNMO) in 1946, just over a decade before the country won its independence from the UK.
5. After losing his first seat in parliament, he wrote a book called ‘The Malay Dilemma’, which helped establish him as an advocate for Malay rights.
6. He is the first Malaysian Prime Minister to have served under two different parties — previously under UMNO and now under Pakatan Harapan.
7. Mahathir is also one of the world’s first leaders to have his own blog — chedet.com — where he discusses political and personal views.
As the World Economic Forum draws to a close, a look at the biggest names in business on the stage his year and their pearls of wisdom at the forum.
1. Mahathir is dubbed the ‘Father of Modern Malaysia’ owing to his 22 years in power until 2003, when he retired.
2. He came out of retirement to challenge his former protégé, Najib Razak, and was sworn in as Malaysia’s seventh prime minister last month.
3. At 92, he is the world’s oldest leader, 21 years older than US President Donald Trump, twice the age of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
4. A former physician, known as ‘Dr. M’, Mahathir had joined the United Malays National Organization (UNMO) in 1946, just over a decade before the country won its independence from the UK.
5. After losing his first seat in parliament, he wrote a book called ‘The Malay Dilemma’, which helped establish him as an advocate for Malay rights.
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6. He is the first Malaysian Prime Minister to have served under two different parties — previously under UMNO and now under Pakatan Harapan.
7. Mahathir is also one of the world’s first leaders to have his own blog — chedet.com — where he discusses political and personal views.
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