'What's the meaning of rest?' - No rocking chair for Dr M a century later

Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who marked his 100th birthday today, has admitted that he cannot comprehend those who prefer a quiet life of retirement over staying active and mentally engaged.

Emphasising his desire to stay sharp for as long as possible, the centenarian said he strives to live each day as he did in his younger years.

“I cannot understand people wanting to rest… some people retire and they want to rest. What is the meaning of rest? You’ll do nothing?” Mahathir said in an episode of his podcast.

“You are alive and capable, your mind and body is still functioning, (but) you’re not making use of this gift of God that you have.

“I want to behave almost as if I’m not getting old,” he added, warning that unused physical and mental faculties will inevitably deteriorate.

Born on July 10, 1925, Mahathir is the only politician to have held the country’s top executive post twice.

Besides being the longest-serving Malaysian prime minister, Mahathir also established a record as the world’s oldest prime minister when he was re-elected in May 2018.

‘Right place and time’

Commenting on his first tenure in office, which lasted for 22 years between 1981 and 2003, Mahathir said he never had intentions to hold the position, instead describing the series of events leading up to the moment as “accidental”.

“Circumstances were such (that) I was in the right place at the right time, and I became the prime minister… that was the single biggest milestone in my life.

"I was suddenly projected into a position of authority and as the prime minister, I felt like I could do more things (for the nation),” he added.

While Mahathir’s critics often accused him of a laundry list of misdeeds and wrongdoings, he reiterated his innocence, asserting that all his actions while he was in power were aimed at bettering the rakyat’s welfare.

“I avoided abusing the power I had. As the prime minister, I could have become very rich, but I chose not to do that - instead, I chose to do worthwhile things that may contribute to other people.

“Many things I did as prime minister were done because I felt that they were what the people wanted. I just don’t want to be condemned for doing wrong things,” the centenarian said.

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