Following Robert Mugabe's resignation, a PSM leader has noted the similarities between the African leader and former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Apart from the two being in their early nineties, S Arutchelvan said both the former Zimbabwean president and Mahathir had ruled with an iron fist.

“Mugabe was a revolutionary known for fighting the colonial powers in his country. Mahathir is known for fighting Tunku Abdul Rahman who is known as 'Bapa Malaysia'.

“Mugabe had been arrested and imprisoned for 10 years for demanding independence... whereas there is news of Mahathir having been detained for a day due to fighting Tunku,” he added.

Arutchelvan said during Mugabe's reign, the latter had ensured that more Zimbabweans have access to education and healthcare facilities.

Mahathir, he added, is known for successfully privatising hospitals and education in Malaysia.

The PSM leader said Mugabe is known for seizing land from well-heeled white people and giving them to poor black people.

Whereas Mahathir, he recalled, was known for his “Buy British Last” campaign and “Look East” policy.

Arutchelvan (photo) also pointed out that both Mugabe and Mahathir's political rivals had accused the two leaders of winning in the elections due to fraud.

He also recalled how Mahathir came under fire for gifting Mugabe with rare Malaysian sawn timber when the latter was building a mansion near Harare.

“Mugabe has now resigned due to pressure from the people and military in his country.

“Whereas Mahathir is now pressuring (Prime Minister) Najib (Abdul) Razak to resign in his country,” he said.

Mugabe initially refused to step down

Mugabe announced his resignation yesterday, after serving as president for 37 years.

The news came amid impeachment proceedings against Mugabe when he initially refused to step down after a military coup in the African nation.

A BBC report said that Zimbabweans were cheering and blaring car horns upon hearing news of Mugabe's resignation.

In Parliament, jubilant MPs also celebrated, some even dancing in the hallways.

“A people who endured white minority rule and then saw their independence become tyranny found themselves suddenly free,” wrote BBC's Africa editor Fergal Keane.

Unlike Mugabe, Mahathir had voluntarily relinquished the prime minister's post in 2003, after 22 years in power, but has refused to fade from the limelight.

After playing an instrumental role in the removal of his handpicked successor Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, he has now trained his guns on Najib, whom he had once endorsed as the best candidate for the top post.

In the 2004 general election, Abdullah led the ruling coalition to its biggest electoral victory to date, with the BN taking more than 90 percent of the Parliament seats, winning 198 out of 219.

Pundits then had attributed this to voters “celebrating” the exit of Mahathir.