Dr Mahathir Mohamad said he is willing to serve as prime minister if that is the wish of the people, for as long as they want him to.

“But of course, I don't know how long I myself will last," he said, adding that in two years' time he would be 95 years old.

Speaking at the Nikkei Conference in Tokyo today, Mahathir pointed out that he was already the oldest prime minister in the world.

"It will be a record if I reach 95 and still prime minister," he said in jest.

Mahathir underlined that serving the country was all that he cared for.

“If that's what the people want me to do, I'll accede to their wishes," he said.

Mahathir was sworn in as prime minister for the second time last month after leading his Pakatan Harapan coalition to a stunning May 9 election victory.

He was prime minister from 1981 to 2003.

Mahathir is on a three-day working visit to Japan.

- Bernama