PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia: Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad can do many things but take him to a pool and that's where his human frailty will begin to show

The former Prime Minister can't swim.

Launching a charity triathlon event for an 11-year-old who will also swim 8km across the Putrajaya lake, the former Prime Minister spoke about his "weakness".

"I confess that I can't swim. I am astonished that humans can swim.

"I used to worry that when I sailed on ships, I would sink to the bottom in case anything happened to the vessels,?" he said.

He acknowledged how important it was to learn to swim, and urged parents to ensure their children could do so.

"It is a bit too late for me but I have tried to learn swimming many times," he added.

Salman Ali Shariati Abdul Halim will also cycle for 360km and run 84km to raise funds for his attempt to swim across the English Channel next year.

If successful, the boy will become the youngest swimmer to cross the English Channel.

Dr Mahathir praised Salman - a student of the Anglo Chinese School in Ipoh who is dubbed the "Iron Boy" - for his grit and determination at such a tender age.

He was recognised as the country?s youngest long distance swimmer by the Malaysia Book of Records last year.