Dr Mahathir became the Prime Minister of Malaysia
Thursday, 16th July 1981
Dr. Mahathir became the Prime Minister of Malaysia when Tun Hussein Onn stepped down due to health reasons. Mahathir was the nation's first Prime Minister that came from a modest social background. The first three prime ministers were members of the royal or elite families. Dr Mahathir was the fourth Prime Minister of Malaysia. He was to hold on to this post for the next 22 years till 2003.