Two of the three panellists at a forum to discuss if former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad is too old for the post of prime minister agreed that the latter cannot be ruled out based on his age alone.

Fitness instructor Kevin Zahri Abdul Ghaffar and psychologist Dr Mat Saat Mohd Baki said although Mahathir would turn 93 in July, he appeared to be in good health.

“Age is just a number, and age can be measured in four ways - chronological, physiological, functional and relative age. The more important issue is the ability of someone to lead.

“Usually at that age (in the 90s) we are not active but he (Mahathir) still looks young. If you replace him with a younger person, that person might not be as smart,” said Mat Saat.

Meanwhile, Kevin Zahri observed Mahathir’s health had not declined despite his advanced age.

“Statistically, of course, 93 years old is very old...anything can happen at that age.

“But health is about many factors. I see that he (Mahathir) has been in a state of good health all this while. He must be doing something right to be able to live to this impressive age,” he told the audience.

The forum, titled “Is Mahathir too old to be prime minister?” was organised by Malay-language daily Sinar Harian.

Midway through the forum, Mahathir gatecrashed the Shah Alam event and in a Twitter posting said, “I am here guys. Say it to my face.”

'Dr M is too old'

Before Mahathir arrived, political analyst Kamarul Zaman Yusoff had disagreed with his fellow panellists.

The University Utara Malaysia academician (photo) cited 10 criteria for a person to be the prime minister and claimed that Mahathir only satisfied two - the legal and intellectual criteria.

“From a mental perspective, his cognitive abilities have declined with age.

“His previous statements have shown that he has regressed a lot and it is clear that he has become forgetful.

“And (Mahathir fails) from a moral standpoint as he previously criticised (PKR de facto leader) Anwar Ibrahim and (late PAS leader) Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat that they were both too old to be PM,” said Kamarul Zaman.

However, Kamarul Zaman seemed to soften his stance after Mahathir’s arrival.

“I just want to ask a simple question, Tun. You said in a 2016 speech that you did not want to be PM of the Opposition won in GE14. What made Tun suddenly change your mind?” he asked the former prime minister after being egged by moderator Nazri Kahar.

Mahathir responded that he had not changed his mind, but was pushed by Harapan component party leaders to make that choice.