MALAYSIA’S veteran ex-leader Mahathir Mohamad, 92, has won a historic election victory, in a political earthquake that toppled the country’s scandal-plagued premier and ousted a regime that had ruled for over six decades.
In a stunning political upset that took pundits by surprise, Mahathir’s opposition alliance ended the long hold on power of the Barisan Nasional coalition, which has been in power in Malaysia since its birth as an independent country in 1957.
The thumping victory capped a dramatic political comeback for Mahathir, who previously ruled the country with an iron fist for 22 years and came out of retirement to take on Prime Minister Najib Razak after the leader became embroiled in a massive corruption scandal.
When he takes power, Mahathir will be the oldest prime minister in the world. Despite the shock result there were no reports of trouble on the streets, where pockets of celebration erupted overnight.
Mohamad said he expected to be sworn in as prime minister later Thursday after his stunning election win, adding there was an “urgency” for him to take office.
“We expect today for me to be sworn in as prime minister,” he told a press conference, addressing concerns over a delay by saying that some “confusion” over the process had now been cleared.
His win has seen excitement in Kenya amongst Raila Odinga supporters who has made several stabs at the Country’s top job and who opponents have claimed is ‘old’ and should retire.
Mahathir Mohamad, 92, Malaysia’s greatest Leader & my Icon has re-written the Rules in leadership. Since 1957, Malaysia has been ruled by one Party, UMNO/BN under which Mahathir was PM in 1981-2003 .. Now, Mahathir is PM thro’ Opposition Party, PH. Age, is Truly Just A Number! pic.twitter.com/mxTD8rQX3v
— Donald B Kipkorir (@DonaldBKipkorir) May 10, 2018
Additional story from News.com.au
