Money politics: Privatization during M's time allowed him to put money into connected hands which contribute back to party coffers, giving party an overwhelming financial advantage in election campaigns.
Special branch: To keep party members loyal to him and opposition in check, he would make full use of Special Branch to dig up every info on key players in politics.
Grand projects: Highly publicized grand projects (today's white elephants) are used to capture the rakyat's imagination, and to paint him as a visionary.
Media control: Utusan/NST/STAR/Nanyang are controlled by BN parties, and their coverage is strictly favorable to BN. Any news unfavorable to UMNO would cause suspension to editor or loss of license. Alternate media like Malaysakini always had their offices raided by police during Mahathir's reign
Education: Rakyat are taught to be deferential to federal government through local education cirriculum. Personally I remember my SPM final essay where I have to tout the virtues of the government.
Ruthlessness: M is extremely ruthless. If you go against him, he will use everything from police to special branch to ISA to fix you.