LETTER | Despite what his enemies, victims or the loyalists to those in power have to spew, Dr Mahathir Mohamad is emerging a clear winner going into the 14th general election.

His returning of certain decorations raised his profile, which was followed by his respected wife's Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali being dropped as patron of an organisation, added to his strategic winning position.

The unceremonious removal of Siti Hasmah, as well as well as what is being largely perceived as the snatching away of some of his honours, have only increased support for him.

Despite past truths as well as several misunderstood facts relating his 22-year tenure, these events have slowly but surely put a new shine on him as he walks untested waters with courage and conviction.

Above all, at 92, he sits behinds the wheels to go to work, leaving a pale dust of envy for many others who may have to live to past 90 to prove their worth.

And then there is the case of the EU ambassadors meeting Mahathir. Being no little village bumpkins, they surely know who is leaving the mark on the winning stakes.

Even the sitting prime minister and his accompanying wife's visit to prisoner Anwar Ibrahim cannot dull the shining badge on Mahathir’s determination and message to the people, even though Mahathir was even disqualified from seeing ailing Anwar owing to some seemingly technical details.

Added to that are the cascades of breaking news outside Malaysia, where media democracy is free and thriving. The spotlight is on the unresolved 1MDB issue and other reports of suspicious transactions in properties bought in Australia, UK and the US.

If the opposition are hellbent on mending past blotches, burying their swords and pronouncing Mahathir to be the incoming prime minister, it is yet another crown to his winning strategy. The narrative of BN's enemies being desperate and unprincipled is losing traction with each passing day.

Somehow, the rakyat are mesmerised for all the right reasons, as they look up to the nonagenarian doctor who casts a shadow even over those 30 years his junior.

In the final countdown, a country that seems ever so ready to turn to God at every corner in all likelihood will pray for blessings to be showered upon Mahathir as he brings hope to a nation embroiled in political uncertainty.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.