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Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad was Prime Minister of Malaysia from 1981 to 2003.
Arguably he was no ordinary leader. His ideas have always been controversial and
transformational. Many called him leader extraordinaire. As an avid reader of a wide range of
subjects, he was also passionate about science. It was during his tenure as Prime Minister that
science assumed prominence in national planning. The first Science Advisor was appointed
during his time. Many scientific institutions were established during his term to help drive the
countrys science and innovation agenda. Even to this day, his passion for science has not
withered. He remains a strong believer in the power of science and innovation in nation
building.


Tun Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad was born in Ice Factory Lane, Silver Cross, Alor
Setar , Kedah date July 10, 1925.





Was the youngest of nine siblings from a pair Mohamed Iskandar and Wan Wan
Hanapi Tempawan. His date of birth registered on December 20, 1925. Tun is a son of a
schoolmaster. He studied medicine at King Edward VII College in Singapore. He worked as a
government medical officer for a while but left in 1957 to set up his own practice in Alor Setar.




Married to a doctor, Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah bt Mohd Ali.



And was blessed with four children , three boys and one girl and 3 adopted children. Their
children are: Marina Mahathir, Mahathir Mirzan, Melinda Mahathir, Mahathir Mokhzani,
Mukhriz Mahathir, Maizura , Mazhar.

Tun Dr Mahathirs family



Tun Dr Mahathir with his grandchildren


Tun Dr. Mahathirs passion is in writing. He started writing while in school. In the 1940s
and '50s, under the pen name "Che Det", he actively wrote articles on Malay politics and
economic issues, which were published in The Sunday Times. He continued writing throughout
his career, and one of his most famous treatises, The Malay Dilemma (1970), influenced policy
and policy makers in the aftermath of the 1969 racial riots. A Doctor in the House is his memoir
that was published in 2011.

It was inevitable that he eventually joined politics. He became Member of Parliament in
1964. However, he lost his seat in the subsequent General Election in 1969. Owing to his keen
interest in the countrys education, he was appointed Chairman of the first Higher Education
Council in 1968, Member of the Higher Education Advisory Council in 1972, Member of the
University Court and University Malaya Council, and Chairman of the National University
Council in 1974.

In 1981, Tun Dr. Mahathir was appointed as a president of United Malays National
Organisation (UMNO), one of the ruling party of Barisan Nasional. Under his leadership, the
Barisan Nasional won landslide victories in the 1982, 1986, 1990, 1995 and 1999 General
Elections.

As prime minister, Tun Dr. Mahathirs thoughts and ideas were put to the test. Though
many initially criticised his many so called mega projects for development, they later had to
swallow their words. It soon proved that those mega projects were the ones which helped
Malaysia achieve commendable progress. It was during Tuns time that Malaysia experienced
rapid economic growth and achieve modernisation on par with some of the developed and
industrial countries of the world. There is no doubt now that science played an important
contributing role in that resounding socio-economic success.

The mysteries of science continue to excite Tun Dr. Mahathir. This is very much evident
whenever he has been invited to speak on science. He has always reminded us Malaysians that
There is nothing difficult or magical about science, or even technologies. If only we have a deep
interest in them and make an effort to acquire them, we will be able to make it. If we strive hard,
it is not impossible for us to acquire the science even to build spacecrafts or rockets, he said.
Science will have to be demystified by exposing the Malaysian man-in-the-street to the
scientific basis and explanations of everyday happenings. This will be achieved through
informal exposure to exhibits at science centres, botanical and zoological gardens, science-
based museums and simple planetariums. The exposure will be done as early in life as possible.
In this way eventually the Malaysian society will consist of large numbers of people with
enquiring minds and a desire to search and research their environment. In other words,
Malaysians will become more scientifically inclined. He added.


The fact that the general public tends to look at science as something mysterious and
complicated has inspired Tun Dr. Mahathir to suggest that Science and Technology
programmes be focused on local experience. To Tun, Science and Technology is a simple, easily
understood project. He interprets science as knowledge that can explain all of Gods creations to
Man, and should be appreciated. He put across this salient point succinctly at the launching of
the National Science Policy in 1970, It would be wrong for us to discard Science and Technology
merely because we have failed to understand it.


In 1971, at the launching of the New Economic Policy (NEC), Tun Dr. Mahathir
emphasised the role of Science and Technology to induce rapid economic growth and overall
productivity and to create a strong industrial base for the nation. This effort continued under
the National Development Plan (NDP), the 6
th
Malaysia Plan (6MP) and the 7
th
Malaysia Plan
(7MP). Under this long term plan, Malaysia is set to be a fully developed nation in line with
Vision 2020, which was unveiled by Tun Dr. Mahathir at the Inaugural Meeting of the
Malaysian Business Council (MBC) in Kuala Lumpur in February 1991.

Under Tun Dr. Mahathirs leadership, Malaysia has risen to great heights in the
industrialisation drive. Science and Technology through research and development (R&D)
played a pivotal role in that rise to industrial prominence. The introduction to The National
Science and Technology Policy in 1986 and the establishment of The National Information
Technology Council as well as the formation of Cabinet Committee on Science and Technology
were some of the key steps taken by Tun Dr. Mahathir to put Malaysia ahead as a nation.

Tun Dr. Mahathirs leadership and vision has moved Malaysia one step further along
the road to industrial progress.


The launching of the National Car, Proton on 9 July 1985



The blast into orbit of MEASAT1 on the night of 13 January 1996;




The Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC)



Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang, a state of the art airport in Asia
was built in Sepang, 50 km from Kuala Lumpur. Inaugurated on June 28, 1998,



Penang Bridge which is the longest bridge in Asia and the third longest in the world was
built in 1980-1985. It connects Gelugor and Prai and over 15.5 miles.



Menara Kuala Lumpur was opened by Dr. Mahathir on October 1, 1996. 421 meter-high
tower at Bukit Nenas, Kuala Lumpur is the tallest tower in Malaysia and Southeast Asia. It is
also the third tallest tower in the world.

Petronas Twin Towers was officially opened in December 1996. With a height of 451.9
meters, detached building has 88 floors and 170 meters above connected roads.


Sepang International Circuit is also built for motor racing and on 15 to 17 October 1999,
for the first time Malaysia has hosted the most prestigious events in the sport of motor racing
Formula One World Championship (F1) at Sepang International Circuit


Putrajaya as Malaysia Government Administrative Centre


Today, Malaysia is still progressing under the strong socio-economic foundation that he
helped establish. Malaysians continue to enjoy the prosperity that came from the industrialized
economic growth that he initiated. Tun Dr. Mahathir has left his legacy for the future
generation not to just benefit from but to continue to build upon for future generations. The
award is named after him to honour his contribution and success for transforming Malaysia
from country dominated by low cost agriculture to a developed industrialized country.
Mahathir Science Award is a way for us to thank him and to remember him for his unwavering
belief in science and his effort in transform Malaysia into a modern industrialised nation
through Science and Technology. It is befitting for a man who has done so much to further the
cause of science for humanity.