Dr Mahathir, 101, watches National Day parade from pavement, livestreams on TikTok
Dr Mahathir, 101, attended the 69th National Day parade at Dataran Putrajaya in an electric wheelchair, sitting roadside among ordinary spectators rather than in any official seating area, according to The Rakyat Post.…
Source: The Rakyat Post · August 31, 2026 at 12:01 PM · AI-assisted report
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KUALA LUMPUR, 31 AUGUST 2026 —
Dr Mahathir, 101, attended the 69th National Day parade at Dataran Putrajaya in an electric wheelchair, sitting roadside among ordinary spectators rather than in any official seating area, according to The Rakyat Post.
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The former prime minister livestreamed the appearance on his TikTok account @chedetofficial, where thousands watched him wave the Jalur Gemilang, greet passersby and pose for photos with security personnel and members of the public.
The appearance marked his first National Day celebration in a wheelchair, after he was admitted to the National Heart Institute in January following a hip fracture sustained while exercising at his home in The Mines, the source said.
He chose to sit in the open air without a mask, even though Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil had advised high‑risk groups to wear N95 masks outdoors after a haze reading was recorded over Putrajaya that morning, according to The Rakyat Post. Neither the government nor Dr Mahathir’s representatives have released a statement confirming whether an official invitation was extended for this year’s parade, the source added.
On social media, images of him in a wheelchair on the pavement without a reserved seat or shade drew widespread reaction, with many Malaysians saying a former prime minister of his age and standing deserved better treatment, according to the report.
In 2025 Dr Mahathir said he had not received an invitation to that year’s parade and did not regard the absence as a barrier, noting that any Malaysian citizen has the right to attend, the source noted.
Rather than issuing a statement, he posted a compiled video of highlights from his two terms as prime minister and reshared a legacy clip titled “Erti Merdeka bagi Tun Dr Mahathir,” in which he described independence as a continuous responsibility, according to The Rakyat Post.
The government has yet to clarify its invitation policy for national celebrations, and the public reaction suggests expectations for dignified treatment of elder statesmen remain high, according to The Rakyat Post. Observers say the reception of this year’s parade could influence future decisions on seating arrangements and invitations for high‑profile guests at such events, the source said.
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