A year ago, at the advanced age of 92, ex-Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad announced he would fight in the Malaysian general elections, this time leading the opposition. If successful, he could be the next Prime Minister of Malaysia once again. How extraordinary.
Credited with turning Malaysia into a major trading and economic force in Southeast Asia, Mr Mahathir left politics in 2003. He has had his reign as Malaysia's Prime Minister and he built the country to become one of the larger trading nation in the world, 19th to be exact. While the odds are stacked against Mr Mahathir, you can't rule out the wily old fox.
In January 2018, Mr Mahathir said that his running for election was "a job I have to do." His decision to run was a reflection of the state of Malaysian politics and, in particular, former ally Najib Razak, who is linked to a multibillion-dollar financial scandal involving a state development fund.
Incredibly Mr Mahathir defeated Malaysia's ruling coalition of more than six decades despite a drastic redrawing of electorate boundaries and media coverage strongly favouring the incumbent. Mr Mahathir's victory marks the first time that a Malaysian prime minister will not be from the Umno party and not be part of the BN coalition, of which Umno is the main constituent.
He is now has become the world's oldest leader. It's been 37 years since he first had the job, and 15 since he retired from it.
His age is almost three decades older than Mr Najib, 21 years older than US President Donald Trump, twice the age of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
When it comes to being a world leader, how old is too old?
Age has long been an issue for politicians. Ronald Reagan faced plenty of questions about his mental abilities when he ran for US president in 1980, and he was just 69 years old. Resurfaced five years after his presidency ended, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Doctors and historians still debate whether the disease affected him while he was in the White House.
It's only when you include hereditary rulers and autocratic leaders that you realise that being the oldest world leader is a competitive title. Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, 91, holds the distinction of being the oldest leader, a title she took from Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe when he was ousted from office last year at age 93. Beji Caid Essebsi, Tunisia's 91-year-old president, is the oldest serving elected world leader.
Mr Mahathir, for one, insists he has time left. "I am, of course, quite old. No, I am very old," he said in an April interview with the Associated Press. "But I can still function." He's right about that. Mr Mahathir has had two coronary bypass surgeries, but still has a reasonably full head of hair. He has a forceful presence, a love of political brawling, and a fondness for jokes. He could easily pass for someone 20 years younger. He doesn't hide his age.
On the other side of coin, the world has seen a surge in younger leaders in recent years. France's Emmanuel Macron entered office at 39, while North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is believed to be 34. The youngest world leader, Sebastian Kurz, was elected chancellor last year in Austria: At 31, he was just over one-third the age of Mr Mahathir.
As for me, Mr Mahathir is also no Reagan, who was known for his occasional forgetfulness and supposed love of naps. If Reagan's handlers carefully shaped his public image to make him appear younger, with lots of photos of him chopping wood and riding horses, Mr Mahathir needs no such help. He looks young, or at least far younger than he is, and he acts young. The mental and physical frailties that batter many people in their 70s seem to have left Mr Mahathir alone.
In part that could be personal discipline. Mr Mahathir was a doctor before becoming a politician, and he regularly recites his rules for keeping young, which is, don't eat too much, exercise and read.
For me no one is too old to be a Prime Minister but the job that comes with it is hectic.
Mr Mahathir emphasised his age in campaign videos that tugged at voters' heartstrings. "I am already old", he said to a young girl in one video, tears brimming in his eyes. "I haven't much time left. I have to do some work to rebuild our country; perhaps because of mistakes I, myself, made in the past."
For me, there are times in life when you have to make tough decisions. Not every decision can be perfect, and you would be naive to think that each comes with a cast-iron guarantee. The most important thing is that you tried your best. So does Mr Mahathir.
I believe the newly-formed government led by Mr Mahathir will once again take Malaysia to the right direction towards a high-income nation while boosting the economy and creating a conducive environment for businesses to grow.
Mr Mahathir is not old to become our leader again and Malaysians, I believe, will be waiting patiently.
Ahmad Zaharuddin Sani Ahmad Sabri, is director of the Institute of Dr Mahathir Thoughts, Malaysia.