Dr M says will serve as PM for as long as people want him to

TOKYO: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said he is willing to serve as prime minister if that is the people’s wish and for as long as they want him to.

“Of course, I don’t know how long I myself will last,” said the 92-year-old, already acknowledged as the oldest prime minister in the world.

Speaking at the 24th Nikkei Conference here yesterday, he said serving the country was all that he cared for.

“If that’s what the people want me to do, I will accede to their wishes,” said Dr Mahathir, who was sworn in as prime minister for the second time after Pakatan Harapan won the 14th General Election last month.

Dr Mahathir, accompanied by his wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, and officials from the Foreign Affairs Ministry, is on a three-day working visit to Japan until today.

Later at the Japan’s National Press Club, Dr Mahathir was asked if his experience was a factor for the GE14 victory.

“Well, there are two types of ageing. One is chronological, according to the year you have reached.

“The other is more biological. Sometimes people age faster, sometimes people age much more slowly. I suppose I age a little bit slower than most people.

“It seems I am able to behave normally. I’m not senile. I can still hear questions and answer questions.

“And people wanted me to lead the country again. I have to accede to the wishes of the people.

“I would advise people not to rest when they grow old because if you rest, you will soon become very weak and incapable, and may become senile.

“Be active after you reach retirement age,” said Dr Mahathir, who will turn 93 next month.

At the dialogue with foreign correspondents, the medical doctor by training said anything that was not used would eventually deteriorate.

“It is the same as your muscles. If you don’t use your muscles and lie down all the time, the muscles cannot even carry your weight. You cannot stand. You cannot walk.

“The brain is the same. 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.”