They say age is just a number, and that you are as young as you feel. The former prime minister  Malaysia, Mahathir Mohamad, is proving this to be true. Mr Mahathir is pushing back the years and running  office at the ripe old age  97. He has been the country's leader twice before. The first time was  22 years, between 1981 and 2003; the second time was a near-two-year term  May 2018. He has announced he will run  parliament in his country's upcoming general election. He was typically coy  whether or not he has his eyes set  the top job once again. He told journalists: "We have not decided who will be prime minister because the prime minister candidate is only relevant if we win."
Mahathir Mohamad has been an ever-present force  Malaysian politics. He first became a member  parliament in 1964. He is widely regarded as being a visionary  changing his country's economic fortunes. He spearheaded Malaysia's rapid economic transformation  the 1980s. Mahathir's decision to contest the parliamentary seat  Langkawi marks his 11th general election campaign. Many commentators  Malaysia are sceptical about Mr Mahathir's chances because  his recent ill health. He has a history  heart trouble and has had several heart attacks and bypass operations, including a quadruple bypass surgery. He was discharged  hospital last month  contracting Covid-19.