FORMER prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said that he is still mentally and physically strong to contest in the upcoming general election. 

“Do I look senile? I still can answer your question and also questions from others.

“I understand that people aged 97 are usually senile but do you see me (as one)?”, to which reporters said he is good and strong.  

“Thank you, I have one vote,” he replied jokingly.  

Dr Mahathir was responding to a question from a reporter, who asked if he was still keen on contesting in the polls rather than retiring at this old age.  

Last week, the nonagenarian said he will defend the Langkawi parliamentary seat in the general election. 

He said he is not contesting to become the next prime minister but merely to defend his seat. 

The two-time prime minister said the decision to contest in Langkawi was made during a meeting with the Gerakan Tanah Air coalition this morning.

In the last general election, Dr Mahathir won the Langkawi seat for the first time with an 8,893-vote majority. 

He polled 18,954 votes as a Bersatu candidate under the Pakatan Harapan banner, while his rivals Nawawi Ahmad (Barisan Nasional) and Zubir Ahmad (PAS) received 10,061 and 5,512 votes respectively. 

Also last week, Mohamad Ezam Mohd Nor, former political secretary to PKR president Anwar Ibrahim, said he intends contest the Langkawi parliamentary seat. – October 19, 2022.