Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, the former fourth and seventh Prime Minister of Malaysia, has given a strong indication that he does not intend to pursue a third term as Prime Minister. In fact, he has expressed doubt about contesting in the upcoming Kemaman Parliament By-Election (PRK). Speaking at the Statesman's Week forum titled 'Malay, History, and Identity' at the Perdana Leadership Foundation, the 98-year-old statesman humorously remarked that his age was a sufficient reason to step back from political leadership.
In a lighthearted manner, Tun Dr. Mahathir mentioned that if given the opportunity, he would be interested in being appointed as the Minister of Education. His objective would be to bring about positive transformations in the country's education system, which has been the subject of criticism for its alleged disarray. Drawing on his vast experience, he expressed his desire to steer the direction of the schooling sector towards improvement.
While rumors had circulated that Tun Dr. Mahathir might be a candidate for Perikatan Nasional in the Kemaman Parliament By-Election, the bloc has officially denied these speculations. Consequently, it seems that Tun Dr. Mahathir's return to Parliament is unlikely at this stage. The vacancy arose after the court nullified the election results due to voter corruption, with no notice of appeal filed.
Meanwhile, Tun Dr. Mahathir acknowledged his past mistake of marginalizing the states on the East Coast during his earlier tenure as the fourth Prime Minister. In an effort to make amends, he revealed that he had been appointed as an unofficial advisor to the four states controlled by the Parti Islam Se-Malaysia (PAS), collectively known as SG4. Tun Dr. Mahathir admitted his guilt in previously neglecting PAS due to his party's hostility towards them. He emphasized that the SG4 partnership is now attracting investments that can significantly benefit these states, which possess abundant natural resources and fertile land suitable for agricultural activities, thereby promoting economic growth.
Tun Dr. Mahathir's decision not to pursue another term as Prime Minister signifies a shift in his political ambitions. At 98 years old, he has reached an age where active involvement in political leadership might be increasingly challenging. Nevertheless, his passion for contributing to the country and addressing key issues such as education remains evident. Through his new role as an advisor to the PAS-controlled states, he seeks to rectify past mistakes and foster prosperous development in these regions. Although Tun Dr. Mahathir's political journey may be taking a different course, his commitment to serving the nation and implementing positive changes remains unwavering.
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