KUALA LUMPUR: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad turns 93 years old tomorrow (July 10) and his stamina in his duties as Prime Minister continues to fascinate Malaysians and foreigners alike.
Indeed, Dr Mahathir had hit the ground running ever since he was sworn in as Malaysia's seventh prime minister in May, reports Bernama.
He has shouldered the heavy responsibility of helming the country with much vigour, despite his age.
Many were keen to know what has kept him going, so much so that a photograph of him having a meal with a particular multivitamin product on the table, drew much attention. There were reports that that particular brand was soon out of stock at pharmacies.
Dr Mahathir was ever willing to share what made him tick, stressing the importance of keeping an active lifestyle even after retirement age.
“I would prefer to rest, of course, but I would like to advise people not to rest when they grow old,” he told Bernama when queried during a recent trip to Tokyo on how he remained healthy.
Dr Mahathir, who has the distinction of being the oldest prime minister in the world, explained that muscles would deteriorate if they were not used.
“If you lie down all the time, the muscles (eventually) cannot even carry your weight, you cannot stand, you cannot walk.
"So it's not good when you are old (that) you just lie down and do nothing,” he said, pointing out that it was the same with one's brain.
“If you don't use your brain, you don't think, you don't solve problems, you don't read, you don't write, the brain regresses and you become senile...so always be active,” said Dr Mahathir, who was born on July 10, 1925.
In an interview with a local English newspaper, Dr Mahathir underlined the importance of not overeating, advice he got from his late mother.
“My mother told me that when the food is nice, stop,” he said, admitting that it would be difficult at first, but it easier after some time.
On another note, Malaysiakini reports that Dr Mahathir is expected to forego a planned birthday party for him tomorrow, which had been organised by several Chinese associations.
The event was controversial as one of the planners was businessman Tee Yam @ Koo Tee Kam, who was allegedly linked to the Chinese underworld (which he denies).
The organisers had apparently invited 2,000 Chinese guild representatives and had planned to contribute RM100,000 to Tabung Harapan Malaysia.
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