Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad filed his candidacy for the upcoming general election on Saturday as campaigning officially began.
The 97-year-old politician held the post of prime minister twice and won the Guinness World Record as the “world’s oldest sitting prime minister” in 2018.
Mahathir is defending his parliamentary seat on Langkawi Island in the November 19 vote.
“These should be my last choices. I didn’t want to run this time, but I didn’t finish my last term,” he said.
Mahathir led the Southeast Asian country from 1981 to 2003 and again from 2018 to 2020, but his government collapsed two years into his five-year term.
“I hope I can finish my job. I have a good chance to win,” he said.
While Mahathir is expected to win easily in Langkawi, a victory in the prime ministerial race is much less likely.
At least four blocs – including the one he leads – are vying for a majority in the 222-seat lower house of parliament.