At 99, Malaysia’s ex-PM Mahathir still has the need for speed
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Malaysia’s former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad said that people wanted to see real action instead of watching Formula One on television.
PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM DR MAHATHIR MOHAMAD/YOUTUBE
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PETALING JAYA - Age is just a number for 99-year-old Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, as Malaysia’s former prime minister was recently seen flooring the pedal at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC).
In a video uploaded on his Facebook page, the nonagenarian was initially seen in the passenger seat of an Audi Q5 SUV, which was driven by SIC’s non-executive chairman, Tan Sri Mohamed Azman Yahya.
Later in the video, Dr Mahathir was seen driving the car at a speed of 154kmh.
Mr Azman had also asked Dr Mahathir about the idea behind the racing circuit and bringing Formula One to Malaysia, which was established during his first stint as prime minister.
“We don’t have many tourist attractions and having a race would stimulate tourists and visitors from foreign countries. Also, we need to entertain people,” Dr Mahathir said in reply.
He added that people wanted to see real action instead of watching it on television.
“So Basir (former SIC chairman Tan Sri Basir Ismail) and I talked about it, and we thought that it’s a worthwhile investment,” he added.
He said at the initial stages, the track was envisioned for the Formula One race.
He said Malaysia could be proud of having hosted Formula One races, as not many countries had thought of bringing the motorsport to their shores.
“We were the first developing country,” he said.
The Sepang circuit was inaugurated by Dr Mahathir in 1999.
THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
