How much can you change in one year? A lot, if you consider the world's oldest elected leader - Mahathir Mohamad.
Malaysia's newly elected Prime Minister has previously led the country for 22 years between 1981 and 2003.
When SBS News spoke with him in May 2017 he assured us that he was retired and had no plans to come back to politics.
He also felt he was too old to be Prime Minister.
The 7th Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad (92,C) waves to the media during a press conference on May 10, 2018 in Kuala Lumpur. Source: Getty
He even laughed off the idea of contesting a seat at the election.
However, on Thursday at the age of 92, Mahathir's opposition alliance won a shock election victory over Prime Minister Najib Razak.
Mahathir's unexpected return as Prime Minister - a role he was sworn in as on Thursday - has ended the previously unbroken rule of Barisan Nasional (BN), the coalition that had governed Malaysia since its independence from Britain in 1957.
After coming to power in May Dr Mahathir has reopened investigations into 1MDB. Source: AAP
Speaking with SBS last year, Mahathir said he had "no more ambition" for a return.
"I’m too old to stand, but of course I will help with the campaign," he told reporter Jarni Blakkarly.
"I will give whatever advice I can give and I’ll make use of my experience to help the party," he said at the time.
He also refuted claims at the time that he was being "opportunistic" by supporting opposition parties against Najib.
"What opportunism do I have, I’m 91 years old, I have no more ambition," he said last year.
"I have reached the highest level in politics in Malaysia. I have no other ambition."
Swearing in
The former strongman's election victory is considered a huge political upset for Malaysia.
In a ceremony at the national palace steeped in centuries-old Muslim Malay tradition, Mahathir was officially sworn in as prime minister by King Sultan Muhammad V.
Mahathir, wearing traditional Malay dress, took the oath of office in an elaborately decorated room, with political allies and senior government officials in attendance.
As he was inaugurated, hundreds of revellers outside the palace cheered and sang the national anthem, with some breaking down in tears. Fireworks lit up the night sky across Kuala Lumpur.
Mahathir disputed outgoing Najib's assertion that the king must appoint the new prime minister because no single party has a parliamentary majority.
The constitution, Mahathir said, only specifies that the prime minister must represent those with a majority in the legislature.
At a televised press conference, Najib conceded defeat, saying: "I and my colleagues accept the verdict of the people."
"The national front will respect whatever decision is made by the king," he said.
"I urge all Malaysians to be calm and to trust the king's wisdom to make the best choice."
Outgoing Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak (centre) of the Barisan National says he's planning a 'short break'. Source: Getty
What Mahathir plans to change
In a lively news conference, Mahathir flagged sweeping changes for Malaysia.
He vowed to cancel an unpopular goods and service tax that has been imposed since 2015.
He has also criticised a recently introduced "fake news" law.
The government can also renegotiate the terms of Chinese loans for infrastructure projects.
Mahathir said the new government will seek the release and full pardon of Anwar Ibrahim, an opposition icon imprisoned on sodomy charges that Anwar and his supporters said were fabricated.
The Mahathir-led opposition is considered to have won the election by tapping into public outrage over a corruption scandal involving Najib and a new tax to end the national front's 60-year hold on power.
