Family worried for Dr M’s health if he runs for election again

Family members of Dr Mahathir Mohamad have expressed concern that the elderly politician might run again at the next general election, Nikkei Asia reports.

“We have to bear in mind that he is now 95 years old, turning 96 in July,” said Mahathir’s son Mukhriz, among the MPs in the small Pejuang bloc that Mahathir formed after the fall of the Pakatan Harapan government last year.

Mahathir had previously said he would no longer run for elections, but has also hinted at his desire to remain in politics.

In 2018, he contested the Langkawi seat, 15 years after quitting active politics. At 92, he became the world’s oldest prime minister, returning to the top post for the second time.

Mukhriz said the family would support Mahathir’s decision, adding that they had also been worried about his health during the 2018 election campaign.

“We had our concerns but later it was proven that his choice to lead the opposition was right,” said Mukhriz, adding that his father could attract votes in any parliamentary constituency.

But even Mukhriz thinks it is time to allow younger leaders to take over, saying Malaysians have seen leaderships “revolving around the same names for the last 30 years”.