In the presence of 500 alumni members of the Sultan Abdul Hamid Old Collegians Association (Sahoca), Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad admitted he does not know how to fully utilise his smartphone. The candid disclosure took place on Monday (May 13) during the organisation’s breaking of fast event.
“Today’s technology is not easy for old people like me. I still cannot understand some of these new technologies,” and added how fascinated he is by young people nowadays who make full use of technological gadgets as if they were born with them.
“I cannot even use my ‘telefon bimbit’ (mobile phone). I know how to use some features. I paid for the whole thing but I don’t know how to utilise the rest.”
Dr. Mahathir fondly related an incident where at 10-year-old girl taught him how to use the gadget.
“She was teaching me something quite new but she was able to move on the computer quickly. She showed me how to do but I still cannot understand which part to swipe or press.”
The Malaysian prime minister easily admitted that if people do not make a serious effort to adapt to today’s technology and the rapidity of which times change, everyone will be left out.
“But the young people are able to adapt because they don’t find these technologies strange,” said Dr Mahathir.
Dr. Mahathir is the lifetime president of Sahoca and is a former student of the Kedah all-boys school.
“The college has done quite well. But now we are going through a new period where we have to teach in different ways, not in the way I was taught in 1930s. Now we use computers in order to teach lessons.”
“I hope we can adapt to this new system of teaching. But I believe the system when adopted by the government will make things easier,” said Dr. Mahathir.-/TISG