Candidates staying fit until the finishing line
GEORGE TOWN: Being the oldest candidate in Penang in GE15, Ravinder Singh prides himself on his healthy lifestyle over the years.
The 80-year-old said he wakes up at 7am daily before going for a 30-minute walk and that nothing much has changed in his routine, even during the campaign period.
However, these days, Ravinder misses going on weekend hikes due to his busy schedule.
“I drink a lot of water. This is my main source of energy apart from a home-made concoction of ginger, garlic, lemon juice, honey and apple-cider vinegar, which I take every morning with some water.
“I do not take any supplements and just keep active to stay healthy,” said Parti Rakyat Malaysia’s candidate for the Bayan Baru parliamentary seat.
A retired educator, Ravinder admits that campaigning is a bit tiring. “There are around 120,000 voters, so there is only so much we can do at the markets and by visiting houses.
“I am using Whatsapp and Facebook for a wider reach,” he said, adding that he gets some help from his 76-year-old brother, who drives him around when he goes on his walkabouts.
PRM candidate, Lee Ah Liang, 77, who will be facing four others in Batu Kawan, said he is still fit.
“During a recent medical checkup, the doctor told me that my biological age is in the early 60s.”
To keep himself fit, Lee does gardening, growing vegetables and fruits during his free time.
Warisan candidate Jeff Ooi, 67, is relying on Korean ginseng to stay fit.
The former two-term Jelutong MP from 2008 to 2018 said the supplement has helped him keep up the pace with his younger peers.
“My immunity and stamina have greatly improved and it helps me stay awake and alert,” he said.
To avoid the risk of being infected by Covid-19 during campaigning, Ooi has taken the vaccine and booster shots.
Perikatan Nasional’s Bayan Baru candidate Oh Tong Keong, 54, said he has been getting only about two to four hours of sleep each night.
“My days are packed. I usually start early in the morning with a market visit, then sometimes it’s an event or meeting.
“I take multivitamins daily to keep me going,” he said.