Aging Politicians: Perspectives from Malaysia and the U.S.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Voices from different corners of the globe are echoing a similar sentiment about leadership and age. From members of the United States Congress to influential Hollywood figures, there is a growing chorus urging President Biden, who is 81, to reconsider his bid for the 2024 presidential election. In the backdrop of American politics, many citizens harbor concerns regarding Biden’s advanced age and overall capability to fulfill presidential duties. Meanwhile, challengers like a 78-year-old politician, recently the target of an assassination attempt, stand firm against him.

Contrastingly, in Malaysia, age seems to hold less weight in political matters. The Southeast Asian nation has witnessed its politicians gain significant public backing despite their senior years. Prime examples include Mahathir Mohamad, who resumed his role as the country’s seventh prime minister at the remarkable age of 92 in 2018, and the current leading figure, Anwar Ibrahim, who assumed power in his mid-70s in 2022.

Delving into the thoughts of Malaysian voters, many have expressed to Al Jazeera that the political agendas and policies of leaders like Mahathir and Anwar resonate more with them than the ages of these politicians. A 35-year-old business executive named Layla Subra shared her reflections: “I considered their age—especially Mahathir, who was already into his 90s at the time—but both leaders conveyed a sense of sharpness and focus despite their years. Therefore, their age did not significantly sway my voting choices.”

Mahathir, having previously served for a total of 22 years from 1981 to 2003, even made his way into the Guinness World Records as the oldest political leader after being re-elected at the age of 92 years and 141 days.

Despite Malaysia having a retirement age set at 60, the political landscape is often unbothered by age-related considerations. Voters in Malaysia are accustomed to seeing elder politicians take charge—a trend reflected not only in their own country but also in China, where age does not hinder political progress either.

For instance, Chinese President Xi Jinping, age 71, was granted a third consecutive term in office last year. Remarkably, Deng Xiaoping, who was 87, conducted his notable southern tour in 1992, advocating for significant economic reforms following the turmoil of the Tiananmen protests.

In Malaysia’s parliamentary framework, incumbents often continue to contest elections, retaining seats they have held for many years. Fong Kui Lun, the DAP’s oldest parliament member at age 77, has represented his constituency unwaveringly since 1999.

While some voters have expressed a desire to see more youthful candidates emerge in elections, their priority remains firmly planted on the policies presented rather than the age of the candidate. Office manager Shaun Ho, 40, articulated, “My focus is on whom I believe has a better strategy, regardless of age. I would opt for an older leader with a robust plan over a younger leader who may uphold the status quo.”

During the preceding election cycle in 2018, Mahathir centered his campaign on a powerful anti-corruption message, targeting his former protégé Najib Razak, who was subsequently convicted for his involvement in a notorious corruption scandal. Najib, who served as the sixth prime minister, was sentenced to 12 years but had his sentence reduced earlier this year by the pardon board.

Registered voters in Malaysia cast ballots not directly for heads of government but for their local candidates, typically aligned with political parties. As businessman Nicholas Chin, 40, noted, “The identity of the parliament member often becomes secondary since we primarily vote for our preferred party based on its policies.”

Historically, Malaysia has experienced a succession of ten prime ministers since gaining independence from British colonialism in 1957, with the first four leaders typically securing their positions between their late 40s and mid-50s. All prime ministers have shared a few common characteristics: being male, practicing Islam, and formerly associated with the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO), which was once the dominant political entity in the nation.

Even as they approach their golden years, figures like Mahathir, aged 99, and Anwar, aged 76, have demonstrated that they largely preserve their physical and mental vigor. Mahathir, originally a medical doctor before he entered politics in the late 1950s, claimed to maintain his fitness through a disciplined routine of treadmill workouts and cycling, supplemented by a healthy diet. On social media, Anwar shared a post stating he had recently received a medical checkup, which resulted in an all-clear from his doctors.

Despite a series of health complications, including a devastating spinal injury and a prolonged period of imprisonment attributed to politically motivated charges, Anwar was eventually pardoned. He continues to remain active in the political sphere.

While Mahathir’s political journey has experienced ups and downs, including a defeat in the 2022 national elections and his subsequent attempt to form a new party focusing on Malay constituents, age has not deterred him from sharing insights on current political matters. Though he currently seeks medical treatment, he cannot be reached for comment.

Political analyst Bridget Welsh, based at the University of Nottingham Malaysia, argues that while some voters may consider age in their assessments, the true concern lies in a candidate’s competency and qualifications. Welsh observed, “In Mahathir’s case, his health was not seen as a significant concern, but rather what he brought to the table regarding ideas and governance.”

Similar critiques have emerged about Biden’s capacity to continue in the presidential race, particularly after a series of gaffes, including a mix-up where he referred to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Following a challenging public debate against Trump, dissatisfaction and calls for reconsideration of Biden’s candidacy have intensified among party members.

In an environment marked by deep political divides, Malaysian writer and actor Elza Irdalynna pointed out a crucial difference in perspectives. “Unlike our elections, Biden and Trump both exhibit significant physical and mental limitations.” According to Elza, for the average American voter, political figures often outweigh policy discussions, necessitating the presence of individuals who project popularity as they lead.

“Even with a pool of capable younger candidates, the focus tends to lean towards recognizable figures in the electoral race,” she concluded.