Recently, social media in Bangladesh has been buzzing with a bold claim: former Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, in a supposed interview, referred to former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as a “dynamic leader”. The viral post doesn’t stop there. It continues with a string of flattering remarks—about Bangladesh’s past growth, the Padma Bridge, Metro Rail, and Sheikh Hasina’s leadership supposedly being the catalyst for it all. There’s even a supposed warning that stopping the development momentum would be “suicidal” for the country.
But is any of this remotely true?
Not quite. Or to put it less politely—nope.
Where Did This Claim Originate?
The claim was spread across verified Facebook pages of the Awami League, its youth wing Awami Jubo League, and Bangladesh Chhatra League.
The post was made even juicier with an embedded video that allegedly shows Mahathir saying something along the lines of: “Bangladesh was rising, now that rise has been halted… Sheikh Hasina’s leadership was crucial… I hope people vote wisely.”
The problem? That’s not what Mahathir said. Not in those words, and certainly not in that context.
So What Did Mahathir Actually Say?
The original interview, conducted by British-based journalist Mahatir Pasha, aired on June 24, 2025.
In that interview, Mahathir Mohamad touched on various topics: Malaysia, international politics, and yes—some reflections on Bangladesh.
But instead of singing Sheikh Hasina’s praises, Mahathir offered some sobering views.
About political unity in Bangladesh, he said:
“People are united in wanting to remove Hasina, but not in what kind of government they want next. That’s where the conflict begins. Those once together are now divided.”
When asked whether the ruling party should participate in the upcoming election, Mahathir said:
“That’s democracy. People don’t always choose the best leaders; sometimes they choose the wrong ones.”
He added:
“But if people think carefully, I believe they can choose a good government.”
And that, ladies and gentlemen, was that.
No Padma Bridge talk. No dynamic leader shout-out. No thunderous applause for Hasina. Just plain, clinical observations of a politician who has long stopped sugarcoating things.
The Real Star of the Interview: Not Hasina, But Yunus
The now-circulated video that supposedly praises Sheikh Hasina? It’s actually about Dr. Muhammad Yunus. Mahathir had this to say about him:
“He was a great man. He deserved the Nobel Prize because he created something to help poor people. He didn’t want power… he just wanted to help the poor.”
So, in the name of honesty, let’s not mix up our praisees.
Digital Sleight of Hand: Edited Videos Tell Half-Truths
The version of the video that is currently being circulated has, surprise surprise, been edited. Several social media accounts cut out parts that mention Dr. Yunus and juxtaposed fragments of the interview to stitch together a misleading narrative.
But Didn’t Mahathir Praise Hasina in the Past?
Well, yes. But that was long ago and in a very different setting.
According to a report published by BDNews24, back on December 2, 2014, Mahathir—during a meeting—reportedly praised the then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her “dynamic leadership” in driving socioeconomic development in Bangladesh.
However, that quote came not directly from Mahathir, but from Hasina’s press secretary, A.K.M. Shamim Chowdhury, who briefed journalists after the meeting.
Even then, it was a secondhand quote, offered through the hazy lens of protocol diplomacy. You know, the kind where everybody says nice things to everyone else.
So, if one were to quote Mahathir directly praising Hasina as a “dynamic leader,” that would date back at least a decade, and even then, it wasn’t straight from the horse’s mouth.
So, What’s the Final Word?
After running all relevant keyword searches, scanning reliable news sources, and checking the actual interview footage, the claim that Mahathir Mohamad recently called Sheikh Hasina a “dynamic leader” and praised her leadership turns out to be false.
In truth, the interview was about political divisions in Bangladesh and featured warm words for Dr. Yunus, not the Prime Minister.
Yes, Mahathir has spoken favorably about Bangladesh’s progress in the past, but not recently, and certainly not in the way claimed in these viral posts.
