KUALA LUMPUR: On his 99th birthday, former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad reminisced on his long career in public service.
"I have survived this long, I don't know for how long more, but all my life is dedicated to serving the nation", the former prime minister said in a voice recording.
Mahathir continued on to thank well-wishers for their support.
A Kedahan-born physician from Kampung Seberang Perak, Alor Setar, Kedah in 1925, Mahathir began his 75-year career by taking part in the peninsula-wide campaign against the Malayan Union and being one of Umno's earliest members in the 1940s.
His first political office was as the member of parliament (MP) of Kota Setar, winning the seat in 1964.
Since then, Mahathir has served as prime minister two non-consecutive times, first with Barisan Nasional in 1981 and later with Pakatan Harapan in 2020.
He is also the country's longest-serving prime minister, serving for a cumulative total of 24 years.
From clashing with Malaysia's Father of Independence to leading the country as it entered the 21st century, Mahathir's 75-year career spans the bruises and scars of Malaysia's own history.