KUALA LUMPUR - Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, 77 this year, has revealed part of the secret to his youthfulness - the country's humid weather.

Mahathir, making a pitch to woo tourists, said the high humidity in the country kept the skin moist all the time and helped him and many Malaysians to look young.

Malaysians eschew the moisturizers and creams used by Europeans and others to keep their skin dewy and wrinkle-free, the veteran leader said.

"We provide this free in Malaysia. No cream but high humidity. Admittedly it is very uncomfortable at times but the high humidity keeps the skin moist all the time," he was quoted as saying by the