Malaysia turns to 92-year-old PM

Malaysia’s Mahathir Mohamad became the world’s oldest elected leader last night.

The 92-year-old was sworn in as prime minister after coming out of retirement and defecting to the country’s opposition.

The ceremony before Malaysia’s king at the state palace in Kuala lumpur ended a day of uncertainty during which rumours swirled that the National Front, Malaysia’s perennial ruling party, would try to cling to power.

The alliance of Hope coalition’s victory is a political earthquake for the Muslimmajority country, sweeping aside the 60-year rule of the National Front and its unpopular leader Najib Razak.

Dr Mahathir, prime minister for 22 years until he stepped down in 2003, was credited with modernising Malaysia but was also known as a heavy-handed leader who imprisoned opponents and sought to control the courts.

He said: ‘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.’