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Enter "Apanama" – Mahathir’s yacht
( This story is from 'The Star')
Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s favourite phrase –
“Apa nama? (What’s the name ?)" is now a yacht.
The vessel, which is still under construction at the Langkawi international marina, is expected to be ready in September. Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat presented Dr Mahathir, who is an avid sailing enthusiast, with a registration certificate for his yacht "Apanama" here yesterday.
The 11-metre-long yacht, being built by local boat company J.G. Challenge Sdn Bhd, is the 100th vessel registered with the Marine Department’s Langkawi International Yacht Registry. "Apanama" can seat 22 crew members and passengers and can do 17 knots.
Later, when asked by reporters why he chose to name his vessel "Apanama", the usually outspoken Dr Mahathir smiled, his sense of humour showing. During his days as Prime Minister, he was known to punctuate his sentences with “apanama”. The phrase later became associated with him and used by both friends and foes to describe him.
In his speech, Ong said the construction was proof that local boating companies were capable of competing with foreign firms in building quality boats and yachts for the international market.
FOOTNOTE: (by staff member: Bob McKean) "Apanama" is an 11 mtr (36 ft) power boat catamaran constructed in GRP Fibreglass. The twin outboard engines will attain a top speed of 17 knots with up to 22 passengers and crew. Designed as a 'day boat' only, it will have a galley and bathroom facilities.
