In 2020, he was also the first to serve non-consecutive terms, and the first Malaysian prime minister not to represent the Barisan Nasional coalition or its predecessor, the Alliance Party before resigning in 2020 after contributing to the country’s political crisis. At the time of his resignation, he was also notably the world's oldest serving state leader at the age of 94 and has now outlived Queen Elizabeth II.
Previously, we visited P. Ramlee's House Museum in Penang and now, we paid a visit to Kedah and came across Mahathir’s Birthplace which is located right smack in the middle of town and is only five minutes’ drive from the Alor Setar tower.
Mahathir is known for his ties to the state, especially to Langkawi, as he is largely credited with being responsible for boosting the tourism industry on the island. He lost his parliamentary seat in Langkawi last November for the first time since 1969.
It is open to the public and includes a one-room wooden house and two galleries which include his academic and career advancements and a separate one on his early political involvements.
No matter your personal views or opinions on the man, the house which has been restored and renovated by the National Archives is a fascinating look at the man who has been spotlighted so often in the Malaysian media.
Mahathir was born on 20 December 1925 at No. 18, Lorong Kilang Ais in a wooden home owned by his father, with a wooden floor and a roof made of Nipah palm. It now contains personal belongings associated with the former PM from his birth to his marriage, many of which came from relatives and close friends.
Malaysians will certainly appreciate the artefacts that lie within such as a study table that was used by Mahathir and his friends. On top of the table was written an anecdote that his father used to clear his throat to indicate to his children that he was home, and they would rush to the table to do their work.
While we may be used to seeing images of him with salt and pepper hair and his trademark grey bush jacket, there are also pictures of him in his younger days such as this one of him looking quite dapper in a white suit!
While he remains very vocal in the political scene, young Mahathir was ‘very quiet’ and ‘never liked to put up his hands to answer questions’, only doing so when other students were unable to answer correctly.
We were also surprised to learn that Mahathir is a feminist through an article published under his pen name ‘Che Det’ in The Sunday Times, Singapore, in 1947 with the title ‘Malay Women Make Their Own Freedom’ where he wrote about the struggle of Malay women in the post-war period stating:
“It is up to the men and especially the fathers, to realise that they can no longer confine their womenfolk to the kitchen.”
His wife, Tun Dr. Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali was the country’s first Malay woman doctor.
There were also other items such as kitchen items used by Mahathir’s family, his bridal chamber, and his favourite bicycle.
Over at a separate exhibition space ‘Rumah Bumbung Lima’, his medical training, career as a doctor, and writings were highlighted.
We were pleasantly surprised to find that the air-conditioned area was well-lit and included medicine from his eponymous Maha Clinic and an oddly shaped milk bottle used by him (we assume that Mahathir used this in his line of work, and not as a baby).
There was even an intricately made diorama with lights and sounds depicting his house from when he was 10 years old and the life he led with his neighbours.
Over at the ‘Rumah Bujang’, objects on display were from his membership of UMNO and his progressive rise to Parliament, Cabinet Minister, and as the fourth PM of Malaysia. Actual attire worn by him was exhibited including his bush jacket and pair of his jeans. Mahathir always pays special attention to his attire, mostly tailored by Malay tailors –– even his songkoks are custom-made.
There were even materials relating to his hobbies. A fact that interested us was that Mahathir liked to play snakes and ladders during his childhood and has multiple creative talents including being able to play the trumpet, being good at interior decorating, and he loves crafts and carpentry work. We personally find it hard to imagine him picking up a paintbrush!
There were also potato stamps used to make a Malayan Union flag (they must have had a low budget).
The place also offered a look into the 98-year-old politician, author, and physician’s diet. During childhood, his mother discouraged him from consuming seafood because of the traditional belief that associated it with worms. As an adult, he still confines his seafood diet to only sardines, anchovies, and dried fish. Who knows, this may be the secret to his longevity!
Entrance is free.
Address: No. 18, Lorong Kilang Ais Sekolah Kebangsaan Jalan Pegawai, Jalan Seberang Perak, Taman Pesisiran Tanjung Chali, 05000 Alor Setar, Kedah
Find it on Google Maps: Rumah Kelahiran Tun Dr. Mahathir
Visiting hours:
Tuesday to Sunday: 10.00am - 5.00pm
Friday: 10.00am - 12.00 noon, 3.00 pm – 5.00pm
Closed on Mondays except during public & school holidays
Image credit: @chedetofficial