He led the opposition Pakatan Harapan coalition to victory in the 2018 general election, defeating Barisan Nasional and prime minister Najib Razak.

[3][4] Voters, fueled by anger over the multi-billion dollar scandal at 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) and rising living costs, dumped Najib Razak and his long-ruling coalition in a general election.

"[9][10] He announced government plans to scrap the highly disputed goods and service tax introduced in 2015 and a recent "fake news" law.

[13][14] He has also appointed a 'council of elders' comprising former finance minister Daim Zainuddin, former Bank Negara governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz, former Petronas president Hassan Marican, tycoon Robert Kuok, and economist Jomo Kwame Sundaram who will serve as advisors to the government.

[34] On 9 April 2019, Mahathir and Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong jointly praised their countries’ collaboration in investigating the 1MDB scandal.

[38] On 11 October 2018, Mahathir cabinet announced plans to abolish the death penalty and halt pending executions, a move that has been hailed by international human rights groups and foreign diplomats.

[56] On 18 September 2019, Mahathir launched a new Foreign Policy Framework where Putrajaya pledged to prioritise maintaining good relations with other nations while practicing justice and fairness.

[63] On 11 May 2018, US President Donald Trump congratulated Mahathir on becoming the seventh prime minister of Malaysia,[64][65] with the White House saying America is looking forward to working closely with it to address common international and regional challenges.

[68] On 28 June 2018, Mahathir arrived Jakarta for a two-day official visit to Indonesia,[69] with Indonesian President Joko Widodo receiving the Malaysian leader at the airport in what has been described as a "rare honour".

[70] Mahathir met Joko Widodo at the Bogor Palace to discuss issues related to governance, corruption eradication, connectivity, border settlement, and politics.

[72][73] On 9 August 2019, visiting Indonesian President Joko Widodo arrived at the Perdana Putra Building, Putrajaya for a four-eyed meeting with Mahathir.

[81][82] The two leaders talked about the Islamic State (IS) and pledged to curb the spread of extremism and terrorism in the Southeast Asian region.

[84] He received a state welcome at Malacañang Palace, marking the first such reception given to a foreign head of government by the Philippines under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.

[86] On 17 August 2018, Mahathir arrived Hangzhou to begin his five-day official visit to China, aimed at further strengthening the 44-year ties between Kuala Lumpur and Beijing.

[88] On a four-day state visit to China, Mahathir embarked on the delicate task of renegotiating $23bn in rail and pipeline deals agreed by his predecessor Najib Razak.

"[93] On 13 February 2020, in the more than half-hour telephone conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Mahathir conveyed Malaysia's solidarity with and unwavering support for China in managing the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic.

[103] On 29 September 2019, Mahathir said Malaysia, Turkey, and Pakistan have agreed to take certain measures to explain what Islam really is to the outside world, aiming to dispel misconceptions about the religion, including its alleged links to terrorism.

[104] On 4 February 2020, Mahathir and visiting Imran Khan held a meeting at Perdana Putra to take stock of the existing cooperation between Malaysia and Pakistan.

[106] A luxury vehicle presented to Imran Khan by Mahathir was officially transferred to the government during a ceremony at the Malaysian High Commission in Islamabad.

[122] Around 131 MPs, including various opposition party leaders, gathered at the Sheraton Hotel in Petaling Jaya celebrating a "consensus".

[127][128] Mahathir submitted his resignation to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Abdullah of Pahang on 24 February 2020,[129] refusing to work with UMNO leaders in a new government.