Aminah Said (right) claims she was born in the late 1800s.

Someone more than 100 years old would be forgiven if she did not fast. But Aminah Said does not think her age is an excuse to miss out on fasting during Ramadan.

Because of this, she is baffled why younger people, particularly the youth, refuse to fast.

"Nenek tak kisah puasa. Nenek tahan lapar dan dahaga. Nenek hairan kenapa budak-budak sekarang malas puasa" ("I don't mind fasting. I can endure the hunger and thirst. I cannot understand why youngsters these days don't like to fast.")

Although her identity card shows that she was born in 1925, Aminah claims she was born in the late 1800s.

She said her eldest daughter, who died a few years ago, was born in 1910.
"How can I be younger than she was?" she said with a laugh.

Despite her age, Aminah has no serious health problems and can still remember many important events in her life, including the major flood that hit the area in 1926.

At that time, her late husband had to take her and their children to higher ground when most parts of Kuantan were inundated.

Her great-granddaughter Norhashimah Sukri, 24, said Aminah's routine during Ramadan was to break fast with a cup of coffee and traditional kuih.

"She has no secret or 'pantang' (taboo). She eats rice twice daily," said Norhashimah, who stays with Aminah.

Aminah was among 27 senior citizens who received RM1,000 each from Tanjung Lumpur state assemblyman Dr Nasharuddin Zainuddin yesterday, through his secretary Husri Mahmud.