Dr M admits having problem with gadgets, says youngsters embrace technology easily

PUTRAJAYA: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad admits he does not know how to use make full use of his smartphone.

Speaking about the advancement of technology, the 93-year-old Prime Minister confessed that many of the gadgets today were beyond him.

"Today's technology is not easy for old people like me. I still cannot understand some of these new technologies.

"I cannot even use my 'telefon bimbit' (mobile phone). I know how to use some features. I paid for the whole thing but I don't know how to utilise the rest.

"The young today love new technology and they easily make full use of them.

"Old people like me are unable to understand how these new instruments function," said Dr Mahathir in a casual speech at the Sultan Abdul Hamid Old Collegians Association (Sahoca) breaking of fast event here on Monday (May 13).

Dr Mahathir recalled a situation where he was taught how to use gadgets by a 10-year-old girl.

"She was teaching me something quite new but she was able to move on the computer quickly.

"She showed me how to do but I still cannot understand which part to swipe or press.

"This is the new world we are living in. If we don't make efforts, we will all be left out.

"But the young people are able to adapt because they don't find these technologies strange," said Dr Mahathir.

Dr Mahathir is the lifetime president of Sahoca and is a former student of the Kedah all-boys school.

"The college has done quite well.

"But now we are going through a new period where we have to teach in different ways, not in the way I was taught in 1930s.

"Now we use computers in order to teach lessons.

"I hope we can adapt to this new system of teaching. But I believe the system when adopted by the government will make things easier," said Dr Mahathir.

Also present at the event was Dr Mahathir's wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali.

More than 500 alumni members were present.