Joe Biden too old to be US president? Not for Malaysians
Al Jazeera
Advanced age is not an issue for Malaysia’s politicians or voters, where Mahathir Mohamad broke a Guinness world record for oldest serving prime minister at 92 years old.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – It’s members of the United States Congress one day, a Hollywood star or wealthy donors another, all carrying the same message to President Joe Biden — that they want the 81-year-old to step aside from the 2024 presidential race.
Surveys show that many American voters are concerned about the advanced years and performance of Biden. Up against him is 78-year-old Donald Trump, barely younger, who survived an assassination attempt last week.
But age is no issue for Southeast Asia’s Malaysia which has seen its top politicians rise to power with popular support despite their very advanced years.
The clearest examples are Mahathir Mohamad, who became the country’s seventh prime minister at 92 years of age in 2018, and the incumbent, Anwar Ibrahim – Malaysia’s 10th premier, who took office in his mid-70s in 2022.
Malaysian voters who spoke to Al Jazeera said the policies of Mahathir and Anwar mattered more than their age when the country went to the polls.
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