Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad today implied that he was still fit to defend his Langkawi parliamentary seat despite some calling for his retirement due to advanced age.

He is 97 years old.

At a press conference held in Putrajaya today, Mahathir said he was not senile like others his age.

"Do I look senile to you? I can still answer your questions and queries posted by others.

"Of course, individuals at the age of 97 are usually senile. But do you see me as (one)?" he asked.

Mahathir's decision to contest in the forthcoming general election (GE15) was not well received and some had urged him to retire from politics.

Mahathir's political career spans more than 75 years and he served twice as the country's prime minister, from 1981 to 2003 and from May 2018 to February 2020.

Meanwhile, Mahathir denied seeking help from Umno treasurer Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor to "rescue" him from Pakatan Harapan's component parties.

"Never. No such thing," he dismissed curtly.

Yesterday, Tengku Adnan said Mahathir was like a puppet in the Harapan cabinet and that he could no longer stand Amanah and DAP.

"When Harapan led the country for 22 months, Mahathir was appointed the prime minister, but just as a puppet, to the extent that he sought my help to 'rescue' him and leave Umno.

"Come here and help me, I can't stand with the cabinet. I can't take it from DAP and Amanah. Mahathir himself gave up on them," Umno Online quoted the incumbent Putrajaya MP as saying.

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