Dr M recognised around the globe, even Pelé knows him - Ibrahim Ali

BANGI - Kelantan Gabungan Tanah Air (GTA) Deputy Leader Ibrahim Ali said Pejuang Chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is a leader recognised by the world.

He said this as he recounted his experience meeting Brazillian former professional footballer Edson Arantes do Nascimento, or Pelé in Rio de Janeiro in 1992.

He said he went for breakfast with his family and met Pele, who, to his surprise, asked how Dr Mahathir was doing.

“Who is Tun M? He is a world-recognised leader.

“In 1992, I went to Rio de Janeiro as a delegate and I was having breakfast when I met Pelé.

“I was surprised when I greeted him and told him that I was from Malaysia, he immediately asked how Tun M was doing. Even Pele knows him,” he said during Pejuang candidates announcement ceremony held at Bangi Convention Centre, here, on Wednesday.

Earlier, 121 candidates from Pejuang to contest for the Parliament seats in the 15th General Election (GE15) had been announced.

The party also informed that the candidates for state assembly seats would be made public at their state level.

It has been reported that Dr Mahathir would contest in Langkawi for the general election.

Dr Mahathir has been acknowledged as one of the most influential people in the world, in just the first year of his role as Malaysia’s seventh prime minister.

In 2019, he was named the Muslim Man of the Year by the Muslim 500, a list of the 500 most powerful Muslims in the world.

He was also ranked as one of the world’s top 100 most influential people in the same year by the international news publication Time in April.

The 97-year-old former prime minister was well-respected for his leadership and sharp mind that he was not afraid to speak out his mind.