In a post on Facebook last night, former international trade and industry minister Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz shared her joy in learning how to scuba dive and seeing life 15 feet underwater. — Pictures via Facebook/Rafidah Aziz Malaysian Citizen

KUALA LUMPUR, March 1 — At 73, Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz has found a new love in life: scuba diving.

The former international trade and industry minister dubbed Malaysia’s “Iron Lady” has once again proven that her indomitable willpower can overcome any barrier, even age.

In an effusive post on Facebook last night, she shared her joy in learning how to scuba dive and seeing life 15 feet underwater for half an hour.

“Where there is the will...Life can begin at 73...Today I want to share my happiness about having realised a dream to do something that I always thought was way beyond me...to scuba dive ...and to see the underwater world that has a life of its own...to see for myself the beauty and marvels of marine life under the sea,” she said in her secondary Facebook account under the name Rafidah Aziz Malaysian Citizen.

Rafidah thanked her diving instructor for being very “patient and meticulous” and that her successful dive was on February 7 at Koh Adang, in Thailand.

“This was followed by my second dive the next day at Koh Lipe down to 46 feet. My third dive was at Koh Rok Nok, followed by dives further afield at the Similan Islands..at locations with beautiful names like Honeymoon Bay, Anita’s Reef, East Of Eden and Koh Bon,” she added in the Facebook post.

Rafidah said she saw “beautiful corals” and many different types of fishes, as well as garden eels.

“It was simply fantastic” But my greatest joy diving was going down to 90 feet at Koh Bon...hoping to see the Manta Rays..but they did not turn up! What wonderful sights to see in the undersea world..The creations of the Almighty.”

Her Facebook post has since garnered over 700 likes, with many people congratulating her for trying out the sport.