In June 1996, a regional weekly magazine according to a survey conducted, Mahathir has been ranked as Asia's fourth most powerful political leader.[82]
In May 1997, Asiaweek has moved Mahathir up to number two in its list of 50 most powerful individuals in
Asia.[83][84]
On 17 March 1998, Mahathir was conferred the prestigious international IFAWPCA-Atsumi Award in recognition of his contribution to the construction industry.[85][86]
On 20 April 1998, Mahathir received the Honorary Fellowship Award from the Chartered Institute of Marketing of the United Kingdom in recognition of his contribution to market Malaysia world-wide.[87][88]
On 26 November 1998, Mahathir was conferred the Asian-Oceanian Computing Industry Organisation IT Award 1998 for his contribution to the development of information technology and IT-related industries.[89]
On 2 September 2000, Mahathir received a Lifetime Achievement Award from an American Islamic finance house near Chicago in recognition of his leadership.[90]
On 21 September 2000, Mahathir was awarded NASYO's Distinguished International Leadership Award for his contributions to the cause of the
Non-Aligned Movement.[91]
On 10 September 2001, Mahathir was conferred the "Asean Achievement Millennium Award" by the Asean Business Forum (ABF) at a special dinner in
Singapore for turning Malaysia into an exemplary and dynamic nation.[92][93]
On 18 September 2003, Mahathir and his wife,
Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali, received the "Ambassador for Peace" award for their contribution to promoting peace and unity.[94]
On 21 December 2003, Prime Minister
Abdullah Ahmad Badawi declared Mahathir as Bapa Pemodenan Malaysia (Father of Malaysia's Modernisation).[95]
On 17 April 2004, Mahathir was conferred the Institute of Engineers' Distinguished Honorary Fellow for his contribution to the engineering profession and the nation.[96]
On 24 September 2004, Mahathir was received Fiabci award by the real estate industry for his contributions in modernising the country, including the building of first-class infrastructure.[97]
From 2005 to 2016, Mahathir had once topped the
Google chart for the sixth time.[98]
Mahathir was named the Newsmaker of the Year by Malaysiakini in both 2005 and 2006.[99][100] In 2015, Malaysiakini readers have voted him, again, as Newsmaker.[101] In 2016, at 91 years old, he was the runner-up for the title of Newsmaker in Malaysiakini, continuing to hog the headlines and embarking on a campaign to oust Prime Minister
Najib Razak from power.[102] In 2017, once again, the newsmaker is Mahathir.[103]
On 11 September 2005, Mahathir was received the Malaysia Tatler Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his unwavering dedication to the country.[104]
On 20 May 2006, Mahathir was conferred the Great Mind Award by Malaysian Invention & Design Society (Minds) in recognition of his leadership abilities.[105]
On 28 September 2012, Mahathir received the 2012 Rafik Hariri United Nations (UN) – Habitat Memorial Award at a ceremony held at the New York Public Library in
New York. He is the second recipient after Turkey’s Prime Minister
Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.[107][108]
On 9 May 2013, Mahathir has been conferred the "Master Foreign Going" award by Malaysia Harbour Pilots Association, which carries the title Captain.[109]
On 27 September 2015, Mahathir was awarded "The Star of Soekarno" by the Soekarno Education Foundation (YPS) for his contribution in championing human rights.[110]
Guinness World Records: Mahathir was recognised as the world's oldest current prime minister in 2018, at the age of 92 years 141 days.[111]
On 7 November 2018, Mahathir has been conferred the Nation-Building Lifetime Achievement Award (Public Sector) by Thailand’s Nation-Building Institute (NBI).[112]
On 12 February 2019, Mahathir was conferred the PETRONAS SIC Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM) Awards 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award for his significant contributions and undying support towards Malaysian motorsports industry.[114]
On 29 April 2019, Mahathir received the “Visionary Leader and Nation Builder” Award at the 20th Asian Association of Management Organisations (AAMO) triennial conference and dinner.[115]
In May 2019, Fortune magazine has ranked Mahathir the world’s 47th greatest leader.[116][117]
On 9 August 2019, Mahathir received the Instafamous Inspiration Award from hurr.tv, Malaysia’s contemporary digital lifestyle hub. The award was in appreciation of his leadership, hard work, dedication and contribution to the Malaysian people.[118]
On 2 September 2019, Mahathir was honored with the Muslim Exemplary Leadership award by the Cambodian Muslim Community in recognition of Malaysia's role in assisting the Muslims in the country.[119]
On 23 September 2019, Mahathir was the first person to receive the
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Special Chancellor Sustainability Award at the university’s Commemorative Convocation ceremony in conjunction with its 50th anniversary in Penang.[120][121]
On 30 April 2021, Mahathir was honored with the Sinan Wren Foundation's Lifetime Achievement Award 2021 during a virtual ceremony. This award recognizes exceptional individuals who have shown exemplary Servant Leadership, encompassing both personal and community excellence. It is presented biennially.[122][123]
On 26 May 2023, Mahathir has been conferred the Lifetime Award under the IBR Global Maritime and Aerospace Awards 2023.[124][125][126]
On 15 September 2023, Mahathir has received the Global Islamic Leader Award at the World Islamic Tourism Award (Wita) 2023.[127]
Places named after him
Several places were named after him, including:
Kolej Tun Dr Mahathir, a residential college in
Universiti Teknologi MARA (Machang Branch), Machang, Kelantan
Kolej Kediaman Tun Dr. Mahathir (KKD), a residential college in
Universiti Malaysia Perlis, Kuala Perlis, Perlis
^"Indonesian Award for Dr. Mahathir". Malaysian Digest. Vol. 18, no. 2. Kuala Lumpur: Federal Department of Information, Malaysia. February 1987. p. 3.