Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's longevity and continued service for the country has been likened to fictional Star Wars character Yoda.

Education Minister Maszlee Malik said usually people his age were either "at the graveyard, in a hospital or at home."

"But no, the prime minister has shown us the spirit of a Jedi knight, the spirit of Yoda.

"Even at an advanced age, he still goes to the office and goes back later than us," Maszlee said at an Education Ministry monthly gathering in Putrajaya today.

Yoda was the grandmaster of the Jedi Order in George Lucas' Star Wars film franchise, and lived to the age of 900.

Mahathir turned 93 on Tuesday, and is currently the oldest head of government in the world.

Maszlee said the prime minister was an inspiration, and repeated the latter's views that Malaysians should emulate the sense of honour and integrity practised by the Japanese.

Last year, Mahathir said that his favourite Star Wars character was Luke Skywalker, a Jedi who joins the Alliance fighting against the authoritarian rule of the Galactic Empire.