Dhaka, June 24 -- At his offices in Putrajaya - the administrative capital he built, around an hour's drive from central Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - I met my namesake, Mahathir bin Mohamad.

Mahathir, Malaysia's longest-serving prime minister, remains a towering figure in regional politics as he approaches his 100th birthday next month.

Despite no longer holding public office, the 99-year-old former leader is as outspoken and politically engaged as ever, continuing to weigh in on issues across Asia - including the evolving situation in Bangladesh.

Seated in his study, Mahathir is surrounded by stacks of handwritten notes and books. Time may have aged him, but his political instincts remain sharp.

In an exclusive interview, Mahathir shared...