KUALA LUMPUR: Practising a healthy lifestyle such as exercising and keeping to a balanced diet from a young age is Bahrum Basar’s secret to enjoy a healthy 100th birthday.

       The former teacher celebrated his birthday on Saturday. He still keeps to a daily routine of walking every morning, accompanied by one of his children.

       Among his other practices include watching his diet – eating the required quantity (of food intake) and increasing his consumption of vegetables and fruits.

       “I hold on to the science of eating when hungry and drinking when thirsty. We know how much people want (need) to eat and drink,” he told Bernama when met at his son’s residence in Damansara Heights here.

       Baharum is even skilled in the use of technology. For example, he uses a laptop to access reading materials.

       Every morning, he reads electronic newspapers to keep up with the local and global developments to stimulate his mental alertness.

       At a young age, the native of Kerling, Selangor, travelled extensively throughout the country.

       Once, he taught at a Japanese school in the capital.

       Bahrum, who married his late wife Rasinah Nazar on April 8, 1951, has been blessed with 11 children.

       He now has 28 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.

       Before his sixth child was born, he decided to settle in his wife’s village in Lenggeng, Negri Sembilan, in 1961 and worked in agriculture such as orchards and padi fields.

       When asked his thoughts about the Covid-19 vaccine, the author of the autobiography Gedung Cinta Kunci Setia, said he was very open-minded about getting the vaccine jab.

       “I have been vaccinated. After taking the vaccine, I feel confident to go out on my daily routine. It is a good thing, don’t be afraid,” said Bahrum.