KUALA LUMPUR – The opposition is calling on the government to hold an official celebration to honour former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for his 100th birthday, which falls on July 10.
In a post on Facebook, Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan expressed concern over the lack of formal recognition for both Mahathir, who celebrated his centenary yesterday, and his wife, Tun Dr Hasmah Mohamad Ali, who will turn 99 tomorrow – emphasising the importance of these two individuals in Malaysia’s history.
“Regardless of opinions, it is clear that both of them are legends in Malaysia,” he said in the post after attending a thanksgiving and prayer event at the Saidina Umar Al-Khattab Mosque in Bukit Damansara yesterday.
Although the ceremony drew a significant crowd eager to celebrate this milestone, Wan Saiful is disappointed over the absence of an official state event to commemorate such an important occasion for a respected leader like Tun Mahathir.
“All we have are personal messages from government officials, which I believe are insufficient,” he added.
He stressed that Tun Mahathir’s contributions to the nation warrant recognition through a formal event, regardless of its scale.
“There should be an official event; it doesn’t have to be extravagant, organised by the government for this legendary couple. Even a small gathering would be meaningful.
“As the nation reflects on Tun Mahathir’s legacy, the push for a formal celebration highlights the need to acknowledge the achievements of those who have significantly influenced the country’s history,” he concluded. – July 10, 2025