“When the food is delicious, stop eating” – Tun Mahathir Turns 100 & These Are His Secrets to a Long Life

Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad turned 100 today (July 10, 2025). 

His achievements and contributions that make Malaysia what it is today are undisputed, but as a mere human, how does Tun M manage to live a long, healthy life? While he mentioned that he doesn’t smoke or consume alcohol, the 4th & 7th Prime Minister of Malaysia has been sharing his “hacks” to a healthy lifestyle over the years.

Let’s start with how you should stop eating when the food tastes really, really, good.

1. Delicious food? Stop eating (too much)

In a podcast with Coffee With Ryan, Tun M highlighted that while a meal can be delicious, it is also a cue for you to stop eating, or at least, eat in moderation.

“Consider yourself lucky if you don’t have lethal diseases like cancer. Heart disease can be cured, but the point is to avoid eating too much which can cause obesity.”

Tun M also acknowledged that it can be tough to stop eating when the meal is delicious if you’re just about to break the habit. In a Longevity Podcast in 2022, Tun M revealed that he eats “almost everything”, but the key discipline remains – don’t overeat.

“Even though the food tastes nice, I told myself, enough is enough. I have to stop.”

2. Just keep moving (physically and mentally)

Over the century, Tun M has been asked about his “secrets” of remaining alert, especially at his age. At the International Wellness Expo in November 2024, Tun M revealed that there were NO secrets. He also debunked the claims of receiving regular blood transfusions as one of the secrets, jokingly calling it “vampirish.”

Apart from eating moderately, Tun M mentioned respecting time as one of his methods in remaining alert throughout the day.

“Reading and writing, as well as regularly doing physical activities.”

In the Coffee With Ryan podcast, Tun M also suggested doing activities that stimulate the brain to keep it functional and active.

3. Go to bed early!

In the Longevity Podcast, Tun M admitted that he sleeps a lot, admitting that he could sleep for 13 hours while on a flight to London. However, that is not the case when he goes to bed early.

“Yes, I go to bed early, but I stay awake. Of course, I do some readings. Sometimes, it takes me 2 to three hours to fall asleep.”

“But going to bed is important, whether you sleep or not. It rests your body.”

Tun M, however, reminds audiences not to sleep too much as excessive sleep will contribute to sickness.

4. Don’t get (too) angry

Things won’t always go our way, and the situation is the same for Tun M, who has lived for 100 years. Anger management is not a walk in the park, as Tun M himself also said that it can be difficult at first.

“I taught myself not to be unduly angry if something goes wrong. It wasn’t easy at first but over time, you learn to control your temper and emotions. Don’t get too excited, too angry, or too emotional.”

The former PM also highlighted that if we succumb to our anger, the tendency for a health risk increases, especially when it comes to blood pressure. While it is no easy feat, Tun M reminds others that it will become a habit if you start by forcing yourself, until no force is needed, as told to Medical Channel Asia.

5. Tolerance

While not exactly a tip to a long and healthy life, Tun M also shared how he managed to sustain his marriage with Tun Siti Hasmah, who will turn 98 on July 12. As the old saying goes, “happy wife, happy life.”

In a tip to avoid succumbing to anger, Tun M said over the decades, he has learnt to tolerate his differences with Tun Siti Hasmah. For instance, Tun M called himself “a stickler for time”, while his wife isn’t, which used to cause them a lot of quarrels.

“We used to quarrel a lot because she was always late, but I have to accept that she will be late, and I will be on time.”

According to Tun M himself, the life expectancy in Malaysia is 76 years, but the former PM himself managed to outlive that number.

WORLD OF BUZZ would like to wish Tun Mahathir nothing but the best and a healthy life ahead!

Also read: “Malays lost S’pore to the Chinese” – Tun M Warns of Shrinking Tanah Melayu as Land Continues to Be Sold