Lee Hsien Loong and Anwar Ibrahim send birthday wishes as Mahathir Mohamad turns 100
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad marks his 100th birthday today, receiving warm wishes from leaders across the region — including Singapore’s Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
- Mahathir, Malaysia’s longest-serving prime minister, turns 100 on 10 July 2025
- Lee Hsien Loong and Anwar Ibrahim extended birthday greetings and praised his legacy
- Mahathir remains an influential and polarising figure in Malaysian politics
SINGAPORE: Singapore’s Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim have extended birthday wishes to former Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who turns 100 today.
The former two-time Malaysian leader has officially become a centenarian.
Born on 10 July 1925 in Alor Setar, Kedah, Mahathir remains one of the most influential and enduring figures in Malaysian politics.
He served as Malaysia’s prime minister for a total of 24 years across two non-consecutive terms — from 1981 to 2003, and again from 2018 to 2020.
A century of political legacy
During his 22-year first tenure as Malaysia’s fourth prime minister, Mahathir spearheaded major modernisation efforts that transformed the country’s economy and infrastructure.
He introduced the Look East Policy, which encouraged Malaysians to emulate the work ethic and industrial practices of countries such as Japan and South Korea.
Mahathir also oversaw the launch of Malaysia’s first national car, Proton, in 1985, a symbol of the nation’s industrial ambition.
Under his leadership, Malaysia saw the development of landmark projects such as the Petronas Twin Towers, the KL Tower, Kuala Lumpur International Airport, and Putrajaya — the country’s administrative capital.
Even after stepping down, Mahathir continued to exert significant political influence. He now serves as an adviser to the PAS-led state governments of Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu, and Perlis.
According to Free Malaysia Today (FMT), Mahathir remains a polarising figure in Malaysian politics, admired by some for his leadership and criticised by others for his centralised style of governance.
Lee Hsien Loong extends heartfelt birthday wishes
In a Facebook post on Thursday (10 July), Singapore’s Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong extended warm birthday greetings to both Mahathir and his wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali, who will turn 99 soon.
“Wishing Tun Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad a happy 100th birthday today. Also warmest wishes to Tun Dr Siti Hasmah for her upcoming 99th birthday. May they be blessed with good health and happiness for many years to come,” Lee wrote.
Lee described Mahathir as “a seminal leader who shaped Malaysia into what it is today – a modern, globally connected, and successful country.”
He also credited Mahathir for championing ASEAN unity, recognising the importance of regional cooperation in safeguarding independence and fostering shared prosperity.
Lee acknowledged Tun Dr Siti Hasmah’s lifelong dedication to social and health causes, including maternal healthcare, children’s health, and literacy advocacy.
Reflecting on the longstanding ties between Singapore and Malaysia, Lee noted that both countries have maintained a deep and multifaceted relationship despite occasional differences.
He emphasised that he and his predecessors valued working closely with Mahathir, and that many milestones were achieved during their respective terms.
Lee concluded his post with a message in Malay: “Selamat Hari Lahir Tun dan Tun Dr Siti Hasmah. Semoga panjang umur, terus sihat dan ceria selalu serta dikurnia kasih sayang bersama keluarga dan insan-insan yang dikasihi.”
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s warm message
Malaysia’s current Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim also marked the occasion with a personal message on social media.
“Happy 100th birthday to Tun Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad. Azizah and I sincerely pray that Tun will continue to be blessed with well-being, peace of mind, and physical strength to live a meaningful life,” Anwar wrote in a Facebook post on 10 July.
He described Mahathir’s longevity and continued vitality as a reflection of his disciplined lifestyle and dedication to service, qualities that remain an inspiration to Malaysians.
“His healthy lifestyle and lifelong service to the nation serve as an example for a country that is ageing but still full of hope. May Allah SWT continue to bless Tun, God willing,” Anwar said.
As Malaysia celebrates the milestone of its longest-serving leader, regional leaders have taken the opportunity to honour Mahathir’s enduring contributions — a testament to his profound impact on Malaysia’s political and developmental history.
