1. Mahathir Mohamad, Tun, 1925-. 2. Prime Minister – Malaysia 3. Politicians – Malaysia 4. Political leadership – Malaysia 5. Malaysia-Politics and government Dr Mahathir resonated transformational leadership, a quality he exhibited early in life, expressed in his writings as a newspaper columnist on what he saw as the Malay dilemma even as he pursued a medical degree. It was a personal cause, a political awakening that came early to him and resulted in him joining the United Malay National Organisation (UMNO). It was the appropriate forum for the cause and he took to politics like the proverbial duck to water. And when, as often happens in politics, he was on occasion forced into political wilderness, he went quietly, bid his time and, as destiny had it, came back strongly, to take on the mantle and lead the nation for what can best be described as a “Great Leap Forward”. Strong leaders court controversy. He had his share, both domestically and internationally. But he stuck to his resolve. History, he often said, would judge him. In October 2003, he passed the baton and returned to civilian life. But the Malaysia he left was not the one he had envisioned. Fifteen years after leaving office and when the situation demanded it, he returned to lead the country in the historic May 9 General Election. He coalesced a disparate Opposition against the ruling Barisan coalition with the same vigour and panache he had displayed in his heyday. The wonder of wonders! May 9, 2018 will go down indelibly in Malaysia’s history as the day a political tsunami swept aside a coalition that had ruled the nation the for six decades. Dr Mahathir had brought hope again. People celebrated the rebirth of a nation. For many, he is the man who did the unthinkable. This book recollects the early events prior to the stunning May 9 evening and the journey of the world’s oldest leader taking centre stage again to rebuild the nation battered by the recent past.