KUALA LUMPUR, July 8 — Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Malaysia’s feisty and combative fourth prime minister, is celebrating his 84th birthday two days early in a 1,000-person dinner party here tonight, hosted by tycoon Tan Sri Vincent Tan at the Berjaya Times Square Hotel ballroom.
Among those who confirmed their attendance at the dinner, themed “A tribute to a Legendary Icon and Outstanding Statesman”, were Kelantan Mentri Besar Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat and ministers who were in the cabinet of the country's longest serving prime minister.
Official records put Dr Mahathir’s birthday as December 20, 1925 but he claimed after stepping down from office that it was actually July 10, 1925. He was prime minister from July 16, 1981 until retiring on October 31, 2003.
It is learnt that Comedy Court – comprising Allan Perrera and Indi Nadarajah – known for their side-splitting and acerbic wit together with comic Harith Iskander will be among the entertainers at the dinner, which will be attended by top corporate leaders and legal eagles, including controversial lawyer V.K. Lingam.
Lingam, Dr Mahathir and several top judges were implicated in the Lingam video clip that purportedly showed that judicial appointments could be fixed by influential people. A royal commission had recommended criminal charges but none have been brought to court.
Lingam himself denied he was in the clip famous for its “correct, correct, correct” soundbite.
It is understood that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his predecessor Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, whom Dr Mahathir criticised vehemently, are unable to attend the dinner.
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