Malaysia's oldest woman, who has died aged 113, said that being happy was the secret of her longevity, a report said Saturday.

Lim Khoo Chai died on Friday in northern Perak state, just three months shy of her 114th birthday on July 5, the Star said.

Lim was endorsed as the country's oldest woman by the Malaysia Book of Records in July 2003, it said. She had been admitted to hospital last Saturday following complaints of stomach discomfort.

"We didn't expect her to go so soon. All of us thought she was going to live for at least another 10 years," Lim's granddaughter Chin Suan Choo was quoted as saying.

Breadwinner

Born in 1891, Lim got married in her 40s and was the breadwinner of her family, working as a babysitter and janitor.

She had three children, 25 grandchildren, 49 great-grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren.

When asked in 2003 about her secret to longevity and staying healthy, Lim said, "Don't worry. Be happy."