Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir will defend his seat in the general elections, will be the oldest candidate

Former Malaysian leader Mahathir Mohamad, 97, announced on Tuesday that he would defend his seat in next month's general elections. "We haven't decided who will be prime minister because the prime ministerial candidate is only suitable if we win," Mahathir told a news conference. Although unlikely, he will be the oldest candidate for the position, with a tenure of five years.

Malaysian prime minister dissolves parliament

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob dissolved parliament for mid-term elections on Monday, under pressure from his United Malaysian National Organization party, which is hoping for a major victory on its own with allies in the ruling coalition. The Election Commission has to fix a date within a week for the vote, which must be within 60 days of the dissolution of Parliament. 

Mahathir was the head of UMNO

Despite his apolitical status and ill health this year, Mahathir said he would defend his parliamentary seat in Langkawi Island. He also warned that a victory for the ruling UMNO party could lead to former prime minister Najib Razak being jailed and let off the hook. Mahathir was the head of UMNO for 22 years until his retirement in 2003.

Mahathir became the world's oldest head of government at the age of 93, and oversaw corruption charges against Najib and other UMNO leaders. But their reformist coalition broke down due to defections less than two years later, and the UMNO returned to power under a new coalition government. 

After the fall of his government in 2020, He said that UMNO aims to win big by bribing people and giving money. He said UMNO's main objective is to free Najeeb, who began his 12-year prison sentence in August after losing his final appeal in a corruption case related to the 1MDB scam. Najib also faces several other cases involving 1MDB that could extend his prison term if convicted.

Corruption case against UMNO president

UMNO President Ahmed Zahid Hamidi is also facing trial on dozens of corruption charges related to the 1MDB case. Mahathir said, “If they win this election, their first step will be to ask (the king of Malaysia) to forgive Najib. At this time, they have made a request, but they have not been waived."

Mahathir said their political alliance has not been approved by the government and that around 120 candidates will contest the Malaysia-majority parliamentary seats under Pejuang banner. Analysts said Mahathir's pull

may no longer appeal to ethnic Malay voters who supported him in 2018.

Anwar Ibrahim said, 'we do not give up'

The Alliance of Hope, which led Mahathir to victory in the 2018 elections, remains the leading contender with 90 MPs. Its prime ministerial candidate is Anwar Ibrahim. While Mahathir competes for Malaysia's votes with UMNO and others, who make up two-thirds of Malaysia's 33 million people. 

Anwar said on Monday that the election would be a time for the people to weed out the traitors who led to the fall of his coalition government in 2020. "Do you think we can reverse 60 years old corruption and monarchy with just one election, Do you think these conspiratorial robbers and thieves will give up?" Anwar Ibrahim said, "We don't give up either."