Dr M: Exercise more, don't be like me

KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): Despite looking fit and healthy at 93, one would think that Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad exercises for hours every day.

However, he admitted at the National Sports Day celebration at the Kuala Lumpur Sports City in Bukit Jalil here on Saturday (Oct 13) that he is not as physically active as he should be.

"I don't really exercise my muscles and my body as much as I told others to do. Be active, don't be like me. Don't follow Dr Mahathir. He told other people to exercise, but he himself didn't do it," he quipped in his speech.

Also present were his wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali and Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.

Dr Mahathir, however, said he used to play rugby during his schooldays.

"No more rugby for me now as I'm already old and weak, but don't think that this old man cannot work," he said.

Dr Mahathir also congratulated the Malaysian contingent at the Asian Para Games for achieving the target of 15 gold medals.

"Our Asian Para squad has succeeded in achieving the target, they played their heart out even when they are in wheelchairs," he said.

The prime minister also encouraged the national football team to learn from their mistakes and bounce back like the South Korean and Japanese teams.

"Our footballers must practise harder and learn more from professional players," he added. – Bernama