There’s no need for gifts, just a “Happy Birthday” greeting is enough – that is the request of Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to Malaysians in conjunction with his 93rd birthday today (July 10).
“Message or wish me ‘Happy Birthday’. That’s what I really appreciate,” he said in an interview with Radio Bernama on Tuesday morning.
The statesman, who became the world’s oldest and Malaysia’s seventh prime minister after Pakatan Harapan won the 14th General Election, joked that he was forgetful and never remembered his own birthday.
But his beloved wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, is a person who will always remember his special day.
“I’m forgetful, so I never remembered my birthday. But my wife never forgot. Early this morning she told me, ‘Happy Birthday’. So I’m safe, and I celebrate it too la,” said Dr Mahathir.
“If I have to rely on myself, even my own birthday, I don’t remember.”
He revealed that a dish of glutinous rice (pulut) and meat rendang marked the special day.
He said before he was a public figure, he would sometimes bring his wife out for dinner, but now they could no longer do so.
Dr Mahathir, who was Malaysia’s fourth prime minister from 1981 until 2003, was also asked about the differences in his previous and current administration.
“A lot of differences. Previously, I took over the government from my own party and it was not much of a problem. The government machinery ran smoothly and I was just guiding it.
“This time it was as if I had to form a new government and look for officers who are clean to manage the administration of the country and I myself don’t know them.
“I have to get information about them on whether or not they are suitable to helm the government machinery,” he added.