Malaysia Ex-PM Mahathir Loses Seat in First Election Defeat in 53 Years

Former Malaysia Prime Minister and Gerakan Tanah Air chairman Mahathir Mohamad casts his vote for the country's general election at Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia, on Nov. 19, 2022. Malaysian Department of Information/Hafiz Itam/Handout via Reuters

KUALA LUMPUR—Malaysia’s veteran leader Mahathir Mohamad suffered his first election defeat in 53 years on Saturday in a blow that could mark the end of a seven-decade political career.

Mahathir, 97, who served as Malaysia’s prime minister for more than two decades in two stints, failed to retain his parliamentary seat in the Langkawi island constituency, coming in fourth in a five-cornered fight.