There must indeed be something in Dr Mahathir Mohamad to return as the elected prime minister of Malaysia at the age of 92 after a gap of 15 years defeating a coalition led by his then successor and protégé Najib Razak. That his return was marked by a stunning electoral victory over the coalition that has ruled the Southeast Asian nation for six decades since independence from Britain makes it particularly noteworthy and pathbreaking. Mahathir, who was a strong ruler and was unusually blunt in his demeanour including his relations with the monarchy and with the US, has won a majority in Parliament and hopes to bolster his support further with more outside support. While the monarch was taking time to call him to form the government, his hand was apparently forced by the swelling crowds in his favour.
Reports say overseas investors were nervous about the ouster of Najib and the local currency ringgit lost four per cent in offshore trading. But Mahathir would predictably not lose the skill to run the country adroitly. It is on the cards that he will restore the economy to fine health and recapture Malaysia’s pride of place in international affairs. His reputation of being a no-nonsense man will stand him in good stead. How he would be towards India remains to be seen. But he plays down his Indian roots and likes to be recognised as a bhumiputra (son of the soil). The new prime minister has his task cut out. His re-rule will be an answer to those who regard age to be a factor that robs a person of his verve and energy. It is for this medical doctor to prove his critics wrong.
