Dr M: Reflections at 100

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad in his office in Putrajaya. — Chang W. Lee/The New York Times

AT the National Mosque in Kuala Lumpur on a recent Friday, a crowd of men angled for a close-up look at the silver-haired figure in a grey suit exiting an elevator.

They held their camera phones up high and perched on stairs to catch a better glimpse. Those who could get close enough, stepped forward to kiss the man’s hand. A worshipper put his hand to his head in a salute.