Tun Mahathir does not care how he will be remembered

TUN Dr Mahathir Mohamad said he is not concerned about how he will remembered.

“I don't care about that. That's why when I became Education Minister, the first instruction I made was not to name any school by my name, not to use my name.

“When I became Prime Minister, I removed all flags with the Prime Minister's name on it.

I don't care about myself, I'm not important because we will eventually die too,” said the 94-year-old former prime minister in an interview with Sinar Harian aired today.

To a question what he had wished to do that is not political or career related, Dr Mahathir said it was no longer important.

“Before long, I will be gone. Who knows when. Maybe in a year, a month, maybe three years. I am uncertain.

“Sometimes, even the seemingly healthy can collapse. So, while I still can, it is my duty to correct the situation for the Malays,” he said.

Asked on his ambition after stepping down as prime minister, Dr Mahathir said he only wanted rest.

However, he insisted that he was still concerned about the nation.

“I want to rest. The ones (I have entrusted) to carry out the task of reviving the economy of the Malays, they still come to me and I give opinions and advice. And sometimes I go see myself and give my opinion,” he added.

On how he had taken care of his health, Dr Mahathir said: “I wrote in the New Straits Times everything I did, especially on the importance of being active. When we do not use any part of our body, it will decline and its strength will also decline.

“If we don't use our muscles and just keep sleeping, then we can't stand up. But when we wake up, work, walk, talk, so all our limbs are active.”