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SHAH ALAM - Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has expressed his heartfelt appreciation to Malaysians for the overwhelming outpouring of birthday wishes he received as he celebrated his 101st birthday on Friday.
In a video posted on his Instagram account, Mahathir expressed his gratitude to everyone who had taken the time to send messages and greeting cards to mark the occasion.
“Assalamualaikum and good morning. I would like to thank everyone who sent messages regarding my 101st birthday today.
“On the 10th day of the month (July), I turned 101 years old and I received many birthday cards and happy birthday wishes. I would like to thank everyone,” he said.
Mahathir was accompanied in the video by his wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali, who will celebrate her 100th birthday on July 12.
Born on July 10, 1925, in Kampung Seberang Perak, Alor Setar, Kedah, Dr Mahathir remains one of Malaysia's most influential political figures.
He and Siti Hasmah have been married for 70 years and have seven children: Marina, Mirzan, Melinda, Mokhzani, Mukhriz, Maizura and Mazhar.
Mahathir first became Malaysia's fourth prime minister on July 16, 1981, serving for 22 years.
His administration oversaw the development of several landmark national projects, including the Penang Bridge, the Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC), the Putrajaya Administrative Centre and the Sepang International Circuit.
He later returned to office in 2018 after the coalition he led won the 14th General Election (GE), becoming Malaysia's seventh prime minister and making history as the world's oldest elected head of government at the time.
Earlier this year, Mahathir was admitted to the National Heart Institute (IJN) after fracturing his right hip in a fall at his residence in The Mines, Seri Kembangan.
He has since been undergoing rehabilitation and recovery and most recently was seen meeting members of the public during a visit to Langkawi.
