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Malaysia’s new PM becomes world’s oldest leader at age of 92




Malaysia’s new prime minister has become the world’s oldest leader at the ripe old age of 92. In a stunning political comeback, Mahathir Mohamad was sworn in 15 years after he stood down.

The former strongman came out of retirement and defected to the opposition to take on the National Front, which has held power in the Muslim-majority country for 60 years.

The National Front’s leader Najib Razak was swept aside after his reputation became tarnished by a corruption scandal and an unpopular crackdown on dissent.

‘We need to have this government today without delay,’ Mahathir, 92, said before Malaysia’s king at the state palace in Kuala Lumpur.

‘There is a lot of work to be done. You know the mess the country is in and we need to attend to this mess as soon as possible and that means today.’

Mahathir was Malaysia’s prime minister for 22 years until stepping down in 2003 and was credited with modernising Malaysia, but he was also known as a heavy-handed leader who imprisoned opponents.

He emerged from political retirement in anger at the corruption scandal at 1Malaysian Development Berhad (1MDB), a state investment fund by Najib, his former protege.

The US Justice Department says $4.5 billion was looted from 1MBD by associates of Najib between 2009 and 2014.

This includes $700 million found in Najib’s bank account and a $23 million pink diamond necklace bought for Najib’s wife.

He has denied wrongdoing. Mahathir said the new government will not conduct a witch hunt, but Najib will have to face the consequences if he has broken the law.

Mahathir has said the new government would seek the release and full pardon of Anwar Ibrahim, an opposition icon imprisoned on sodomy charges.

Anwar, who was also imprisoned under Mahathir following a power struggle, said the charges were fabricated by the National Front to crush his opposition.


Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, center, waves to crowds leaving National Mosque after performing Friday prayers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Friday, May 11, 2018. Malaysia's new Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said Friday he will form a lean cabinet with 10 core ministries and start the process of obtaining an immediate pardon for jailed opposition icon Anwar Ibrahim. (AP Photo/Sadiq Asyraf)
In this Thursday, May 10, 2018, file photo, Malaysian police officers fire teargas towards opposition party supporters in Putrajaya, Malaysia. An alliance of Malaysian opposition parties led by the country's 92-year-old former authoritarian leader Mahathir Mohamad won a fiercely contested general election, ending the 60-year rule of the Malay-dominated National Front. (AP Photo/Sadiq Asyraf, File)
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, center, leaves after performing Friday prayers at National Mosque in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Friday, May 11, 2018. Malaysia's new Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said Friday he will form a lean cabinet with 10 core ministries and start the process of obtaining an immediate pardon for jailed opposition icon Anwar Ibrahim. (AP Photo/Sadiq Asyraf)
In this Wednesday, May 9, 2018, file photo, Mahathir Mohamad, center on stage, celebrates at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Official results from Malaysia's national election show the opposition alliance led by the country's former authoritarian ruler Mahathir Mohamad has won a majority in parliament, ending the 60-year rule of the National Front. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Ong, File)

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