Seventy-one years after Dr Mahathir Mohamad spelt out his love for Dr Hasmah Ali over a game of Scrabble, their family recreated the moment this year. The setting had changed; the message had not. (Mokhzani Mahathir pics)

KUALA LUMPUR: There is a Scrabble board on the table at Merdeka Grill, the letters arranged across it to spell three words that have survived 71 years: I LOVE YOU.

Dr Mahathir Mohamad is leaning over the table, looking at the tiles. Around him are dinner, pastries, city lights and family.

It is a recreation, but not just any family game.

The scene has been staged by his grandchildren to recreate something their grandfather did for their grandmother, Dr Hasmah Mohamad Ali, in 1955.