This article is about the events of Mahathir Mohamad's tenure as Prime Minister. For the people in Mahathir Mohamad's administration, see Seventh Mahathir cabinet.
Second premiership of Mahathir Mohamad 10 May 2018–24 February 2020
His government initiated reforms, addressed corruption, and aimed to strengthen the country's economy. One major focus was on the 1MDB scandal investigation. Mahathir also worked on improving relations with neighboring countries and embarked on numerous international trips. Additionally, his administration focused on addressing environmental issues and promoting sustainable development. He resigned in February 2020 amid a political crisis.
In the May 2018 general elections, Mahathir's coalition, Pakatan Harapan, achieved a historic victory by defeating the long-ruling Barisan Nasional coalition that had been in power for over 60 years.[1][2] At the age of 92, Mahathir became the world's oldest serving Prime Minister.[3][4] Voters, fueled by anger over the multi-billion dollar scandal at 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) and rising living costs, dumped Najib Razak and his long-ruling coalition in a general election.[5] Najib said that he accepted the will of the people.[6][7] At 10 pm, Mahathir was officially sworn in as prime minister.[8]
During his first press conference on that historic night, Mahathir was asked whether any action would be taken against Najib Razak, the leader of BN. He replied, "We, Pakatan Harapan, are not seeking revenge. We simply want to restore the rule of law."[9][10] He announced government plans to scrap the highly disputed goods and service tax introduced in 2015 and a recent "fake news" law.[11]
In May 2018, Mahathir says his first 20 years in office were “fairly easy” compared to what is confronting him now — massive debt in a country with an international reputation for corruption
On 15 May 2018, Mahathir said he may remain premier for up to two years and will play a role in the background even after he steps down.[12]
On 18 May 2018, Mahathir has unveiled a 14- member Cabinet following approval by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V.[16]
On 23 May 2018, Mahathir chaired the first cabinet meeting in Perdana Putra.[17] Mahathir said all Cabinet ministers would be taking a 10 per cent pay cut from their basic salary with immediate effect.[18][19]
On 2 July 2018, thirteen ministers and twenty-three deputy ministers were sworn in before the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Muhammad V.[20]
Mahathir moved swiftly against his predecessor, Najib Razak, just days after his shocking election victory. He banned Najib from leaving the country[22][23] and planned to reopen an investigation into the 1MDB scandal that Najib had helped set up.[24] After than, police cordon off home of Najib.[25]
On 21 May 2018, Mahathir has agreed to form a special investigation team to thoroughly probe into the 1MDB case.[26]
On 19 June 2018, Mahathir said embezzlement and bribery involving government funds are among the charges that Malaysia is considering bringing against Najib.[27] He also say his government had a near perfect case against predecessor Najib over the alleged theft of state money.[28] On 3 July, Najib has been arrested in Kuala Lumpur.[29] He charged with multiple counts of corruption, money laundering, and abuse of power related to the 1MDB scandal.[30]
On 13 November 2018, Mahathir told CNBC than Goldman Sachs Group Inc “cheated” Malaysia over its dealings with 1MDB.[31][32][33] He said that US prosecutors have promised to help return money that Goldman Sachs charged for its dealings with 1MDB.[34]
On 9 April 2019, Mahathir and Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong jointly praised their countries’ collaboration in investigating the 1MDB scandal. The two leaders acknowledged the cooperation that was also extended to the United States and Switzerland.[35]
On 3 May 2019, Mahathir expressed confidence that US and Singaporean authorities will proceed to return more than RM930 million allegedly misappropriated from 1MDB.[36][37]
Review of Mega Projects
Mahathir's government reviewed and canceled or delayed several mega infrastructure projects that were initiated by the previous administration. This included the cancellation of the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High-Speed Rail project and the postponement of the East Coast Rail Link project.[38]
On 11 October 2018, Mahathir cabinet announced plans to abolish the death penalty and halt pending executions, a move that has been hailed by international human rights groups and foreign diplomats.[39][40][41][42] The pending abolishment, however, has triggered a storm of controversy.[43] Multiple groups and people have come out against the abolition of the death penalty, including non-governmental Malay dominance organization, Perkasa.[44]
On 13 March 2019, the government has reversed its earlier plan to repeal the death penalty. Mohamed Hanipa Maidin, a deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, saying now intends to abolish mandatory capital punishment but will allow courts to decide whether a person convicted of a serious crime will be executed.[45][46][47][48]
On 18 February 2020, Mahathir said the mandatory death penalty for drug trafficking might be amended to life sentence. He mentioned that the government would review drug-related laws, as certain groups argued that the penalties for offenders were excessively severe.[49][50]
On 14 September 2019, Mahathir chaired a special cabinet meeting on the Shared Prosperity Vision.[51][52]
Mahathir officiated the new Shared Prosperity Vision 2030 in Kuala Lumpur October 5, 2019.[53] He said SPV2030 can put Malaysia as a new Asian Tiger and provide a decent standard of living for all Malaysians by 2030.[54] Mahathir also said Malaysia need to amputate the cancerous limbs of corruption and abuse of power.[55] Economic Affairs Minister Azmin Ali said the SPV2030 is the country’s blueprint to generate rapid economic growth and create wealth so that prosperity could be shared together.[56]
On 18 September 2019, Mahathir launched a new Foreign Policy Framework where Putrajaya pledged to prioritise maintaining good relations with other nations while practicing justice and fairness.[57]
Mahathir refused to extradite Zakir Naik.[58][59][60] Mahathir extradited Turkish national Arif Komis and his family, who were holding UNHCR refugee cards, in August 2019.[61][62] Komis was later charged by the Turkish government for being part of the Gülen movement.[63]
Mahathir meets with United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in 2018
On 11 May 2018, US President Donald Trump congratulated Mahathir on becoming the seventh prime minister of Malaysia,[64][65] with the White House saying America is looking forward to working closely with it to address common international and regional challenges.[66]
On 3 August 2018, Mahathir held a discussion with United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at Perdana Putra.[67]
On 7 January 2020, Mahathir describing the U.S. killing of Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani as immoral, and also against international laws.[68]
On 28 June 2018, Mahathir arrived Jakarta for a two-day official visit to Indonesia,[69] with Indonesian PresidentJoko Widodo receiving the Malaysian leader at the airport in what has been described as a "rare honour".[70] Mahathir met Joko Widodo at the Bogor Palace to discuss issues related to governance, corruption eradication, connectivity, border settlement, and politics.[71]
On 21 May 2019, Mahathir congratulated Joko Widodo for his appointment as the President of Indonesia for the term 2019-2024.[72][73]
On 9 August 2019, visiting Indonesian President Joko Widodo arrived at the Perdana Putra Building, Putrajaya for a four-eyed meeting with Mahathir.[74] Mahathir drives Joko Widodo in a Proton Persona car to a luncheon he hosted at Seri Perdana.[75][76][77]
Mahathir and Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte pose for a photo before discussing matters on both countries' mutual interests during a meeting at the Prime Minister's Office in Perdana Putra, Putrajaya on July 16, 2018Mahathir and Duterte (7 March 2019)
On 6 March 2019, Mahathir has arrived in Manila for a three-day visit to the Philippines.[84] He received a state welcome at Malacañang Palace, marking the first such reception given to a foreign head of government by the Philippines under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.[85] The Philippines and Malaysia pledged to enhance their cooperation in tackling security issues in the region. This includes efforts to combat terrorism, piracy, and transnational crimes, as well as the fight against the illegal drug trade.[86]
On 17 August 2018, Mahathir arrived Hangzhou to begin his five-day official visit to China, aimed at further strengthening the 44-year ties between Kuala Lumpur and Beijing.[87]
He toured a Chinese car plant and e-commerce giant Alibaba, and rode China's fastest high-speed train from the tech hub of Hangzhou to Shanghai, before arriving at the Chinese capital.[88] On a four-day state visit to China, Mahathir embarked on the delicate task of renegotiating $23bn in rail and pipeline deals agreed by his predecessor Najib Razak.[89]
On 24 April 2019, Mahathir arrived in Beijing to attend the Second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation.[90] On 26 April, he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping.[91] Malaysia actively participated in China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), fostering economic cooperation.[92]
In July 2019, on China's treatment of its Uyghur minority in Xinjiang, Mahathir said "we can condemn [China] but the fact is that the condemnation alone would not achieve anything."[93]
On 13 February 2020, in the more than half-hour telephone conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Mahathir conveyed Malaysia's solidarity with and unwavering support for China in managing the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic.[94][95]
Mahathir was undertake an Official Visit to Pakistan from 21–23 March 2019
On 21 November 2018, Mahathir meet with Pakistani Prime MinisterImran Khan at the Prime Minister's Office in Putrajaya. The two leaders welcomed the set-up of the Bilateral Consultation between senior officials of both Ministries of Foreign Affairs.[96] Mahathir believes that Malaysia and Pakistan share remarkable similarities in the sense.[97] Imran Khan said Pakistan is keen to learn from the experience of Mahathir in transforming Malaysia's economy and development.[98][99] Imran Khan was among the Pakistani politicians who expressed their admiration for Mahathir during their general election campaign.[100]
On 21 March 2019, Mahathir being welcomed by Imran Khan at the Pakistan Air Force Nur Khan airbase in Rawalpindi during his official three-day visit to Pakistan.[101][102] He was conferred the Nishan-e-Pakistan or Order of Pakistan, the country's highest civilian award.[103]
On 29 September 2019, Mahathir said Malaysia, Turkey, and Pakistan have agreed to take certain measures to explain what Islam really is to the outside world, aiming to dispel misconceptions about the religion, including its alleged links to terrorism.[104]
On 4 February 2020, Mahathir and visiting Imran Khan held a meeting at Perdana Putra to take stock of the existing cooperation between Malaysia and Pakistan.[105] Imran Khan said Pakistan will do its best to purchase Malaysian palm oil to offset the loss with regard to the Indian market.[106]
A luxury vehicle presented to Imran Khan by Mahathir was officially transferred to the government during a ceremony at the Malaysian High Commission in Islamabad. Razak Dawood, Khan’s commerce adviser, accepted the car on the prime minister's behalf.[107]
On 27 October 2019, Mahathir arrived Ashgabat to begin his two-day official visit to Turkmenistan.[108][109][110] After concluding the meeting with Turkmenistan PresidentGurbanguly Berdimuhamedov at the Presidential Palace, Mahathir stated that there are prospects of further cooperation between Malaysia and Turkmenistan in aerospace, the oil and gas industry, and cotton.[111] He also said that Berdimuhamedov, at a meeting, has expressed the wish for the Turkmenistan government to extend the production sharing contract (PSC) with Petronas in the country until 2038.[112]
Advanced medical device innovation for improved healthcare
Mahathir delivering his speech at the International Medical Device Conference 2019 (IMDC), Malaysia Medical Device Expo 2019 (MYMEDEX) and Medical Innovation Exhibition and Conference 2019 (MEDINOVA).[120]
In February 2020, disagreements over who should lead the government culminated in a political crisis. MPs supporting Anwar demanded a timeframe for Mahathir's resignation and handover of power. Other MPs from several political parties held their own meetings on forming a new government with Mahathir remaining prime minister; Mahathir himself was not present.[122] Around 131 MPs, including various opposition party leaders, gathered at the Sheraton Hotel in Petaling Jaya celebrating a "consensus".[123][124] Anwar later confirmed a new governing coalition was being discussed, and added that he had been "betrayed" by Pakatan Harapan partners.[125][126]
Anwar, Mahathir and other Pakatan leaders then met to clarify the situation; Mahathir said he was not involved in the attempt to form a new governing coalition.[127][128]
On 29 February, the Agong appointed Muhyiddin prime minister, determining that he was "most likely to have received the trust of the majority" of MPs.[137] Mahathir challenged this, but his attempts to contact the Agong to seek legitimacy for his support were not answered.[138] He left the Prime Minister's office an hour before Muhyiddin was sworn in.
Timeline
2018
May 9 – Mahathir won a stunning victory in Malaysia's election, ending the six-decade rule of Prime Minister Najib Razak's party.[139]
May 10 – Mahathir being sworn in as Malaysia's seventh Prime Minister at the Palace.[140]
May 12 – Mahathir prohibited his predecessor, Najib Razak, from traveling abroad, citing sufficient evidence to investigate his involvement in a multi-billion-dollar scandal.[141] He named three senior ministers in his new Cabinet.[142]
May 13 – Mahathir pledged to reassess a contentious "fake news" law that was rushed through before the elections and widely viewed as targeting critics of his scandal-plagued predecessor.[143] He instructs Inland Revenue Board to return taxes collected 'illegally'.[144]
May 14 – Mahathir declared his intention to appoint a new head for the anti-corruption commission and replace the attorney-general who had exonerated Najib in connection with the multi-billion-dollar 1MDB state fund scandal.[145] Mahathir was visited by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei at the Perdana Leadership Foundation.[146][147] He also said the government will first study whether to repeal the Anti-Fake News Act 2018.[148]
May 16 – Mahathir announced that Putrajaya will lay off a total of 17,000 political appointees in an effort to reduce public expenditure.[149]
May 17 – Mahathir stated that he requires time to reassess Malaysia's annual economic growth, noting that several figures, including the GDP growth, were "fake."[150] He stated that his government would "honor all agreements" while also reassessing the feasibility of projects in the country linked to China.[151] Mahathir stated that the 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) will continue, with a focus on making sure that only eligible individuals receive the assistance.[152]
May 18 – Mahathir expressed his disagreement with the authorities regarding the arrest of a man accused of excessively insulting him and Islam on Facebook.[153]
May 21 – Mahathir has formed a special task force to probe into the 1MDB scandal.[155]
May 23 – Mahathir stated that the government will keep fuel prices unchanged at the pumps, despite the increase in global crude oil prices, and will discontinue the weekly fuel price adjustments under the managed float system.[156] He announced that Malaysia’s public sector will undergo a downsizing process as part of the federal government’s efforts to reduce spending, due to the growing strain on the nation’s financial health.[157] Mahathir also announced the disbandment of several government-linked agencies and institutions.[158]
May 25 – Mahathir met with the ambassadors of Japan and Russia during courtesy calls at the Yayasan Albukhary building.[159]
June 1 – Mahathir approved the establishment of the National Centre for Governance, Integrity and Anti-Corruption (GIACC), which will oversee and coordinate all efforts related to governance, integrity, and the fight against corruption.[161] He stated that the approval of the RM30 billion Kedah City project is under the jurisdiction of the state government.[162]
June 25 – Mahathir mentioned that he had taken a test drive of Proton Holdings Bhd’s newest sports utility vehicle (SUV), which is set to be launched soon.[163]
July 1 – Mahathir stated that the National Security Council Act (NSC) 2016 is one of the laws currently under review for potential amendment or repeal.[165]
July 9 – Mahathir urged administrators and civil servants to avoid using their authority for personal benefit or to favor their families and friends.[166]
July 20 – Mahathir assured that business figures who come forward to report or testify about corruption will be safeguarded under the new PH government.[167] He stated that during his official visit to China in August, he will extend invitations to Chinese companies to invest in Malaysia.[168]
July 27 – Mahathir participated in Friday prayers alongside over 2,000 people at Masjid Khalid-Al Walid on Jalan Padang Tembak, in observance of Warriors Day.[169]
August 9 – Anwar Ibrahim, the de facto leader of PKR and the incoming president, stated his intention to return to Parliament to pursue reforms and serve as a backbencher in support of Mahathir's administration.[172]
August 13 – Mahathir encouraged Malaysians to adopt the patriotic spirit of the Japanese by purchasing local products, with the hope that they will gain global recognition as quality goods.[173]
August 15 – Mahathir said that Malaysia has contributed to resolving conflicts in the Middle East to the best of its ability.[174]
August 21 – Mahathir stated that although the government is open to investments from China, these must comply with the country's regulations.[176]
August 24 – Muhammed Abdul Khalid, who previously led the secretariat of the Council of Eminent Persons (CEP), has been appointed as the Economic Adviser to Mahathir, starting August 27.[177]
August 27 – Mahathir said Malaysia will not permit foreigners to purchase residential units in the US$100-billion Forest City project located in Johor, which borders Singapore.[178] He said that the 100-day report by the Council of Eminent Persons (CEP) is not intended for public release.[179] Mahathir also mentioned that the government cannot eliminate the 1Malaysia People's Aid (BR1M) without first properly assessing whether it should be provided only to the truly poor or to others as well.[180]
2019
2020
Related Research Articles
Mahathir bin Mohamad is a Malaysian politician, author, and doctor who served as the fourth and seventh Prime Minister of Malaysia. He held office from 1981 to 2003 and later from 2018 to February 2020 for a cumulative total of 24 years, making him the country's longest-serving prime minister. Before becoming premier, he served as Deputy Prime Minister and in other cabinet positions. He was a Member of Parliament for Langkawi from 2018 to 2022, Kubang Pasu from 1974 to 2004, and Kota Star Selatan from 1964 to 1969. His political career spanned more than 75 years, from joining protests opposing citizenship policies for non-Malays in the Malayan Union in the 1940s to forming the Gerakan Tanah Air coalition in 2022. He was granted the soubriquet Father of Modern. At the age of 99, he is currently the oldest living former Malaysian prime minister.
Mohammad Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak is a Malaysian politician who served as the sixth Prime Minister of Malaysia from 2009 to 2018. In 2020, he was convicted of corruption in the 1Malaysia Development Berhad scandal, one of the largest money-laundering and embezzlement scandals in history. He is the son of former prime minister Abdul Razak Hussein. Najib Razak was the chairman of the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition from April 2009 to May 2018 and the president of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) from November 2008 to May 2018, which had maintained control of Malaysia's government with a parliamentary majority for more than sixty years until the coalition's defeat in the 2018 general election.
Wawasan 2020 or Vision 2020 is a Malaysian ideal introduced by the fourth and seventh Prime Minister of Malaysia, Mahathir Mohamad during the tabling of the Sixth Malaysia Plan in 1991. The vision calls for the nation to achieve a self-sufficient industrialised nation by the year 2020, encompasses all aspects of life, from economic prosperity, social well-being, educational worldclass, political stability, as well as psychological balance. To achieve Vision 2020, Mahathir lamented that the nation required an annual growth of 7% over the thirty-year period 1990–2020, so that the economy would be eightfold stronger than its 1990 GDP of RM115 billion. This would translate to a GDP of RM920 billion in 2020. Under Vision 2020 from 1991 to 2020, there are 3 sub 10 year development policy namely National development Policy 1991-2000 with OPP2, National Vision Policy 2001-2010 with OPP3 and New Economic Model 2011-2020 with National Transformation Programme NTP.
Ling Liong Sik is a Malaysian politician. He was the sixth president of the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), a component party of Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition and also the former Malaysian Minister for Transport. Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak filed the suit against Ling Liong Sik on 2015, alleging that Ling had made libellous remarks against him in an article carried on a news portal.
General elections were held in Malaysia on Wednesday, 9 May 2018. At stake were all 222 seats in the Dewan Rakyat, the lower house of parliament. The 13th Parliament was dissolved by Prime Minister Najib Razak on 7 April 2018. It would have been automatically dissolved on 24 June 2018, five years after the first meeting of the first session of the 13th Parliament of Malaysia on 24 June 2013.
According to a 2013 public survey in Malaysia by Transparency International, a majority of the surveyed households perceived Malaysian political parties to be highly corrupt. A quarter of the surveyed households consider the government's efforts in the fight against corruption to be ineffective. Corruption in Malaysia generally involves political connections still playing an important role in the outcome of public tenders.
2018 in Malaysia is Malaysia's 61st anniversary of its independence and 55th anniversary of Malaysia's formation.
The Malaysian United Indigenous Party is a nationalist political party in Malaysia. The party was preceded by the United Indigenous Association of Malaysia and founded by members of the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) rebel group Gabungan Ketua Cawangan Malaysia. It is a major component of the Perikatan Nasional coalition.
Mohamed Apandi bin Ali is a Malaysian lawyer and politician who was the Attorney General of Malaysia from 2015 to 2018. Six months after assuming office, he cleared then prime minister Najib Razak of any wrongdoing in the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) and SRC International cases and marked the investigation for "no further action".
Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, being the Prime Minister of Malaysia for the second time on 10 May 2018, formed the seventh Mahathir cabinet after being invited by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Muhammad V to form a new government. It was the 20th cabinet of Malaysia formed since independence. Initially, he announced that the Cabinet will be composed of 10 key ministries only representing Pakatan Harapan parties, i.e. Malaysian United Indigenous Party (BERSATU), People's Justice Party (PKR), Democratic Action Party (DAP) and National Trust Party (AMANAH), as he suggested "to being a small Cabinet" rather than to have "a huge Cabinet". Then, on 21 May 2018, that list has expanded by 13 ministries. On 2 July 2018, 13 Ministers and 23 Deputy Ministers took office. It was a cabinet of 28 ministers until their fall on 24 February 2020 following Mahathir's resignation.
This is a list of events in the year 2019 in Malaysia.
Abdul Hamid bin Bador is a Malaysian retired police officer who served as the 12th Inspector-General of Police (IGP) from May 2019 to May 2021. He was the Acting Deputy Inspector-General of Police of Malaysia (DIGP) and Director of the Special Branch (SB) of the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM).
Events in the year 2020 in Malaysia.
The 2020–2022 Malaysian political crisis was triggered after several Members of Parliament (MPs) of the 14th Malaysian Parliament changed party support, leading to the loss of a parliamentary majority, the collapse of two successive coalition governments, and the resignation of two Prime Ministers. The political crisis culminated in a 2022 snap general election and eventual formation of a coalition government. This crisis ended in 2022 and Malaysian political crisis continued in the State of Sabah known as 2023 Kinabalu Move.
Rizuan Abdul Hamid was a Malaysian politician. He was a two-term Senator for the upper house of 11th and 12th Malaysian Parliament. He was also the former chairman of Halal Development Corporation (HDC).
Events in the year 2022 in Malaysia.
The 1Malaysia Development Berhad scandal is an ongoing political scandal in Malaysia, in which then-Prime Minister Najib Razak was accused of channeling over RM 2.67 billion into his personal bank accounts from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), a government-run strategic development company. 1MDB was overseen by Najib as head of its advisory board. Following repeated calls for resignation by the public, Najib lost power in the 2018 Malaysian general election, and is currently on trial along with several key figures involved.
Najib Razak is the 6th Prime Minister of Malaysia, the son of former 2nd prime minister Abdul Razak Hussein. One of the most controversial leaders of the 21st century, his period of rule was marked by corruption, an extravagant lifestyle, and crackdown on free speech.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
