The Malay Dilemma
Tun Mahathir bin Mohamad was born on 20 December 1925 in Alor Star, Kedah. Showing an early interested in politics, he became involved in the Anti-Malayan Union campaign in 1945 and joined the United Malays National Organization (UMNO) as a member in 1946. Under the pseudonym C H E Det, he was a frequent contributor to the Sunday Times, writing articles on the Malays and politics. Elected to Parliament in 1964, he was expelled from UMNO in 1969. He was re-elected in 1972 and later became the Minister of Education. In 1978, he was appointed Deputy Prime Minister as well as Minister of Trade and Industry. He became prime minister in 1983 and led the country until 2003.