KUCHING: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim extended well-wishes to former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on the occasion of his 100th birthday.
In a Facebook post today, Anwar also described Dr Mahathir’s healthy lifestyle and lifelong service as an example to a nation that is growing older.
“Azizah (Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail) and I sincerely pray that Tun continues to be blessed with well-being, peace of mind and physical strength to live a meaningful life.
“His healthy lifestyle and unwavering service remain an example for a nation that is ageing, yet still full of hope. May Allah SWT continue to bless Tun, Insya-Allah,” he said.
Later, speaking in a special podcast streamed live on his official Facebook page, Dr Mahathir expressed his gratitude to Anwar for extending birthday wishes as he marked his 100th birthday today.
“I am glad I received a note from Anwar Ibrahim, PMX, wishing me a good birthday, 100th birthday, thank you.
“I’ve received a lot of good wishes on my 100th birthday and I’d like to thank all those who sent cakes, flowers, letters and for turning up to wish me a happy 100th birthday. To be 100 is quite frightening,” he said.
Dr Mahathir said his day began early at 5:00 am, starting off like any other normal day.
“We have a podcast, we get to meet people, and I think a lot came to see me, more than usual, so thank you very much and thank you for the podcast as it allowed me to explain many issues which I have always tried to address,” he said.
During the podcast, he touched on several key global and domestic issues, including the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
He also expressed admiration for Asian nations such as China and Japan, noting their economic rise and emergence as global powerhouses in various sectors.
Dr Mahathir also took a moment to reflect on his political journey, recalling the events and individuals who helped pave his way to becoming prime minister.
Meanwhile, Galeria Sri Perdana in Kuala Lumpur has re-opened on the same day as Dr Mahathir’s 100th birthday.
Galeria Sri Perdana was the fourth prime minister’s official residence and has been transformed into a gallery.
The gallery not only retains significant historical value but also serves as a centre for knowledge and educational tourism, according to the National Archives.
The building was originally known as ‘Sri Timah’, a residence owned by the Malaysia Mining Corporation before it was acquired by the government and became the official residence of Dr Mahathir and his family from 1983 to 1999.
However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the gallery was closed between 2020 and 2021 and later temporarily shut again starting January 1, 2023, to make way for the Upgrading and Conservation of Building Exhibits Project.
This project was approved under the Eleventh Malaysia Plan and was fully completed on December 17, 2024.
The gallery, which comprises three levels of exhibition spaces and one administrative block, now showcases more than 3,500 items of memorabilia, including collections of furniture, vehicles, documents and clothing belonging to Dr Mahathir.
Visitors can explore areas such as the bedroom, family dining room and meeting room once used by Dr Mahathir and his family.
Dr Mahathir said he had many memorable experiences when he stayed there during his first tenure as prime minister.
“This was a reasonably sized house for a prime minister, as at that time we were not rich, and (it) received many leaders from many countries,” he told reporters at the launch today.
Born on July 10, 1925, in Alor Setar, Kedah, Dr Mahathir remains a towering figure in Malaysian history, having served as both the country’s fourth and seventh prime minister.
He led the nation for 22 years as the fourth prime minister from 1981 to 2003, and again as the seventh prime minister from 2018 to 2020, becoming the world’s oldest prime minister at the age of 92.
