SHAH ALAM - Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad celebrates his 99th birthday today.
Born on July 10, 1925, in Kampung Seberang Perak, Alor Setar, Kedah, Dr Mahathir’s official birth date is recorded as December 20, 1925.
His wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali, will celebrate her 98th birthday on July 12.
The couple has seven children: Marina, Mirzan, Melinda, Mokhzani, Mukhriz, Maizura, and Mazhar.
In several interviews, Dr Mahathir revealed that his secret to good health is moderation in food intake and regular exercise.
He first became Malaysia's fourth Prime Minister on July 16, 1981, holding the position for 22 years, the longest tenure in Malaysian and Southeast Asian history.
He resigned as Prime Minister on October 31, 2003.
However, in 2016, Mahathir re-entered politics by establishing Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) to challenge Barisan Nasional (BN).
In a political surprise in 2018, Bersatu and its allied parties won the 14th General Election (GE14), making Mahathir, at age 93, Malaysia's seventh Prime Minister.