‘Happy 93rd birthday, Dad!’

PETALING JAYA: Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir posted a birthday message on Facebook to her father Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who turned 93 yesterday. Marina said she is proud of the many things he had achieved but nothing made her prouder than seeing the prime minister still willing to listen and learn from his new colleagues. “Happy 93rd birthday to my darling Dad. Nobody can fully know what it took to get back in the game, go out there and fight and then roll your sleeves up to work to save our beloved Malaysia.” Her Facebook post was accompanied by two photographs of a s miling Mahathir seated on the floor, leaning against a pillar that was taken by her husband a nd prominent I ndonesian photographer, Tara Sosrowardoyo.

The post was also accompanied by the hashtags “#idontknowwhere h i s e n e r g y c o mesfr o m” a n d “#hopeiinheritedthesame”.

It has been shared more than 7,200 times and received some 1,600 comments from netizens posting birthday greetings for Mahathir and thanking him for coming out of retirement to save the country.

Among the notable comments was a post by Sham Sunder Binwani, who shared a photo he had taken with the premier some 28 years ago.

“Happy birthday dear Tun. God bless you greatly always with lots of love and happiness and success. This picture was taken 28 years ago. Forever handsome and dashing,” he wrote.

Lawyer and activist Siti Kasim also commented on Marina’s post, saying Mahathir was a blessing to the country.

“Happy Birthday Tun! You are priceless, and your l i f e i s a blessing.”

Facebook user Norazlin Mokhtar likened Mahathir to the caped crusader, saying: “Happy birthday batman who came back to save Gotham City.”