As Duterte takes ‘power naps’, 93-year-old Dr M says never skips meetings
SINGAPORE — Malaysian prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said on Thursday (Nov 15) he always tries his best to attend meetings even as he grows into old age, amid uproar over Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte missing meetings during the 33rd Association of South-east Asian Nations (Asean) Summit.
Malaysian prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir at a press conference for Malaysian media after the conclusion of the 33rd Asean Summit in Singapore.
SINGAPORE — Malaysian prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said on Thursday (Nov 15) he always tries his best to attend meetings even as he grows into old age, amid uproar over Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte missing meetings during the 33rd Association of South-east Asian Nations (Asean) Summit.
The 93-year-old said only an illness would stop him from doing so.
“I always attend meetings... If I can I will, if I’m sick I won’t,” he told reporters after the summit here.
He was asked by the media to comment on how someone of his age could still keep up with the hectic schedule of the summit, while Mr Duterte seemingly failed to do so.
Earlier, Malacañang Palace explained that Mr Duterte was absent from four major meetings during the summit because he had to take “power naps” to rest.
News website Rappler reported the country’s presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo clarifying that Mr Duterte’s absence was not due to his health. MALAY MAIL
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