Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad took office as the fourth prime minister of Malaysia on July 16, 1981. For 22 years until he stepped down in October 2003, Mahathir was not only the longest serving prime minister of Malaysia but has also been credited for engineering Malaysia's rapid modernisation earning him the soubriquet of 'Bapa Kemodenan Malaysia' (Father of Modernisation).

Malaysia's physical transformation is obvious. After all, Mahathir presided over a period of phenomenal growth and at the end of his tenure, Malaysia bristled with concrete symbols from a gleaming airport to an impressive skyline.

Mahathir left office in a blaze of endearment and glowing tributes. Three years later, the period for veneration is over and the shenanigans of Mahathir's rule are slowly being untangled and the warts of his administration are beginning to show.

A reappraisal of his legacy will show that the transformation of Malaysia has come with a price.