Still Standing at 100: Mahathir Mohamad’s Century of Defiance and Duty

As Malaysia’s longest-serving prime minister marked his 100th birthday on Thursday, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad found little time for rest, and even less for sentimentality. “To be 100 is quite frightening,” he admitted candidly in a special podcast broadcast to mark the occasion—but his day began, as usual, at his office in Putrajaya, dressed in his signature safari suit and ready for work.

For most, turning 100 might signal a final curtain call. For Mahathir, it's just another day to serve. The moment marked not just a personal milestone, but a symbol of political longevity that is as rare as it is remarkable.

A Legacy That Shaped a Nation

Mahathir’s imprint on Malaysia is deep and complex. Often polarizing, always powerful, he is credited with transforming Malaysia from a largely agrarian society into one of Southeast Asia’s most industrialized economies. His first term as the nation’s fourth prime minister (1981–2003) was marked by rapid modernization, the controversial "Look East" policy, and his strongman approach to governance.

Then, in an unprecedented return to power at the age of 92, Mahathir was sworn in again in 2018 after leading a coalition to an electoral upset, becoming Malaysia’s seventh prime minister. His comeback was fueled by a desire to “save Malaysia” from the grip of corruption, especially in the wake of the 1MDB scandal.

Though his second stint lasted only until 2020, it further cemented his image as a relentless, if complicated, force in Malaysian politics.

‘Quite Frightening’: Turning 100 Without Slowing Down

Far from fading into the background, Mahathir remains an active voice in national and international discourse. On his 100th birthday, he chose to reflect not on retirement but on relevance.

“I’d like to thank all those who sent cakes, flowers, letters and for turning up to wish me a happy 100th birthday,” he said during the live podcast, a relaxed but purposeful session where he touched on everything from personal anecdotes to geopolitical shifts. “To be 100 is quite frightening,” he added with a wry smile. But if he’s daunted by the number, it doesn’t show.

A Mind in Motion: The Secrets Behind His Longevity

Mahathir attributes his longevity to simple but consistent habits: avoiding cigarettes and overeating, exercising his mind, and never truly resting. Though he’s undergone two heart bypass surgeries and battled heart disease, he credits his survival not just to medical intervention—but to purpose.

“I have always been active. I cannot understand people wanting to rest,” he said. “You take a holiday, you do something. But some people retire, and they want to rest. What is the meaning of rest? You do nothing?”

For Mahathir, retirement is not a goal—it’s a loss of meaning. “So long as I can function, I want to function. I want to behave almost as if I am not getting old.”

Global Reflections from a Century-Old Statesman

In his birthday podcast, Mahathir did more than accept well-wishes. He used the platform to speak on issues close to his heart. He reiterated his support for the Palestinian people, warning of the moral and geopolitical costs of silence on the issue. He also offered thoughts on the rise of China and the shifting global balance of power.

A statesman with decades of diplomatic experience, Mahathir remains unapologetically outspoken, even when his views invite criticism. To him, diplomacy should never come at the expense of conscience.

Rest Is Not an Option: The Man Who Won’t Retire

There’s a certain defiance in the way Mahathir moves through the world—whether it’s his measured walk into the office or the sharpness of his mind in interviews. He is a man who doesn’t just defy age; he questions its meaning entirely.

“I try to live the same life that I lived when I was younger. I work, I come to the office, I attend functions and all that. And I think being active is what keeps me alive.”

As the world marvels at his century of life, Mahathir shows no signs of fading away. Whether you admire him, oppose him, or remain conflicted—there’s no denying he is a towering figure who shaped modern Malaysia in his image.

One hundred years later, Mahathir Mohamad is not just surviving—he’s still setting the pace.