Doctor's advice - Don't follow Dr M, he's not always right

A doctor has advised Malaysians not to emulate Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad because the latter does not walk the talk when it comes to leading an active lifestyle. This doctor is none other than Mahathir himself.

"Don't follow that Dr Mahathir, he's not always right.

"He asks people to play sports but he doesn't play sports," he joked during his speech at the launch of the National Sports Day celebrations at the Bukit Jalil stadium in Kuala Lumpur this morning.

According to the 93-year-old leader, he chose to play rugby in school because the sport required less tactical skills than football.

"Since the time I was in in school, I only know how to play rugby," he said to cheers from over 10,000 participants.

"Why rugby? Because to play rugby, you don't need to be very skilled. What is needed most is bravery to maybe knock your heads, that's good enough to play," he added.

Mahathir also admitted that he did not possess the skills required to play football, and likened rugby to brawls on the field.

At his current age, Mahathir said he no longer engages in physical exertion, but pointed out that he still possessed the spirit to continue working.

"Now I can't play rugby anymore, I am old. But do not think that just because you're old, you can't do anything anymore," he added.

The prime minister also noted how the modern lifestyle is becoming increasingly sedentary, stating that a direct flight from Singapore to New York would see passengers sitting for some 17 hours.

"In future, maybe there can be futsal games in-flight. Who knows?" he quipped.

Mahathir later flagged off the 10km Fun Ride and 3km Fun Run participants. Accompanied by his wife Dr Siti Hasmah Ali as well as Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, he then visited the numerous booths around the Bukit Jalil stadium. - Mkini