Former President Dr. Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik proclaimed on Thursday that the recent Malaysian general elections have proven that age is not a factor, and is a lesson for all Maldivians.
Dr. Waheed tweeted saying, "Congratulations to Dr. Mahathir and his coalition. Malaysia proves age should not be a factor. Maldives must learn."
The statement came after 92-year-old Mahathir Mohamed led the Malaysian opposition coalition, Pakantan Harapan, to victory in their general elections. He is set to become the oldest prime minister after defeating Najib Razak, bringing an end to the six-decade rule of Barisan Nasional coalition, in a competitive election.
Dr. Waheed's tweet was directed at the amendment made to the Maldivian Constitution's residents' age bill, which sets the age requirement of presidential and vice presidential candidates below 65.
Mahathir was the Malaysian prime minister between 1981 and 2003, and had been in retirement when he decided to reemerge in politics and defeat Razak, a prime minister whose reputation had been tarnished by a multi-billion dollar graft scandal.
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