Mahathir realised that to be able to help his people, he must first be an important man of high standing in society. Only 2 professions that could enable him to have this status during that time which were Law and Medicine. At that time, Mahathir could not afford to further his studies without the help of scholarship. In order to earn more money, he worked as a clerk in the morning, and during his free time he was used to write up political articles which he sent to few English language newspapers. When the opportunity for the scholarship was available, which was given for the field of medicine, Mahathir was very disappointed, cause he wanted to study law. He had no choice but to apply it and studied medicine and was addmited into King Edward Medical College in Singapore.
Life at the medical college in 1947 for new student was not easy. Mahathir did not escape from being ragged by the senior student. He have to washed and ironed the senior's clothes. Being a senior is so much fun. There were time all his pockets were filed with small HUMAN BONES!! Hehehehe. Biology class was held at the college itself while physics and chemistry were taught at Raffles College. Although busy with his daily life as a student, Mahathir still found time to write for the Sunday Times (now known as The Staits Times) under the pen name of C.H.E Det. Hehehe. He was paid well for his articless.
Mahathir gained respect because his willingness to help his people..
Of the 60 students were in the same year with Mahathir, only seven of them were Malays. Out of this seven only four of them graduated as doctors. One of these four was the only malay woman in that course, she was from selangor and her nama was Siti Hasmah Ali. Mahathir found it very difficult to act natural when in the company of girls, malu malu kucing bah Mahathir. Since he was young, Mahathir has been raised under strict supervision, and he never had a girfriend while in school or at home. Although Mahathir was interested in Siti Hasmah, he did not feel jealous when she went out with her other guys classmates.
During the college time, Mahathir was able to grasps the abilities and skills in understanding most subject in very short time and was envied by all of his colleagues. Mahathir was the person that they approched for help. It was the same goes with Siti Hasmah. Whenever she had difficulties in her physics and chemistry lesson, Mahathir was the only one she seek for help. This opens the door for Mahathir to get to know Siti Hasmah much better. Hehehe pok silap mah Mahathir. =) Anyway, when Mahathir saved enough money from his writings, he then bought himself a bike and a secondhand Mayflower car that he drove during his last year in college. Even as a student, he still can afford to buy a car. Respect.
In 1954, Mahathir Mohamad completed his studies and receive MBBS. He worked at Penang General Hospital, then was given a job as a Medical Officer in Alor Sear General Hospital. Dr Mahathir also served as a doctor in Perlis for 2-3 months, and Pulau Langkawi for almost 1 year. Dr Mahathir loved the island so much. He then saw a potential to developed Langkawi as a tourism spot in the future; he thought. Finally in August 05th, 1956, the weeding of Dr Mahathir with Dr Siti Hasmah took place. They first live in the gorverment flat, it was in that flat they had their first child named Marina Mahathir born in June 1957.
In 1957, Dr Mahathir decided to be independent by setting up his own clinic. His decision became a big shocking news in his kampung. All were talking about his action and critised him. Because never before have any Malay goverment officer in such a high ranking post willing to quit his conformtable job just to set up his own business. They said Mahathir was stupid for his act and make a mistake during that time. But some of them were amazed by the bold step taken by Mahathir. He took loans from his relatives, uncles and aunties. Hehehe. Dr Mahathir set up his clinic at a street named Jalan Tunku Ibrahim and he named his clinic MAHA CLINIC. That was the first private clinic owned by a bumiputra. Not longer after that , Maha Clinic moved to a bigger and better place in Pekan Rabu Alor Setar. A part from that, Dr Mahathir also involved in some small entreprneur business in Pekan Rabu and Pasar Yaacob. He had business in transpotations, mining activities, and housing projects. Wahhh, can you imagine how creative Dr Mahathir during that time?
The reason Mahathir join politic was to help in changing his people's fate.
Dr Mahathir started to get active in UMNO activities , he joined ceramah-ceramah (lectures)and kempen-kempen organized bt UMNO. Dr Mahathir's involvements in politic then grew slowly. When he found an assistant to take over his daily chores in his clinic, Mahathir spend most of his time in the politician arena. He must be the first in the position to earn respect among the top most seniors in order to get support. As a doctor, Dr Mahathir had proved for his abilities and was highly respected by people.
During 1964's election, titik-titik permulaan (the starting line) politic Mahathir ..
part 3 ........to be continue
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