Mahathir turns 83 today

With updates at the bottom.

Happy birthday, Doc. The first time I covered Dr M must have been 1986 when he launched the Malaysia-Thai deep-sea fishing project in Kuantan. I was a rookie with Business Times, having joined the paper the year before.

I've covered him - locally and overseas - many, many more times after that. Those assignments took me to the United Nations, Asean summits, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation or Apec, the Non-Aligned Movement, Southern Africa International Dialogue, and various official and working visits to foreign countries.

The thing I remember most is how proud I felt to be a Malaysian whenever I covered him at regional and international events during the late Eighties and throughout the Nineties.

p/s Dr Mahathir's official birthday is December 20, 1925. His "real" birthday is today, July 10, two days before the birthday of his wife, Dr Siti Hasmah.
Having two birthdates were common in those days. My late dad told he was born on another day (not on 1.1.1928 as stated in his passport and ID) but nobody could remember exactly what day that was.

Update, 8pm
Young Achievers Club celebrate Dr M's birthday at Kelantan Delight.






Big Dog interviews some young ones like Sarah Chen and Amanda Sabri over a birthday lunch on what they think of the Old Man.

Click here for his story and more pictures.