KUALA TERENGGANU: Reading and having sex nightly. That, says Tokoh Nilam award winner Alias Ismail, is the secret to his seemingly boundless energy during the day.

Even his colleagues have been left wondering how the teacher manages to remain energetic enough to conduct additional co-curriculum activities until the late evening.

“They always ask me whether I consume jamu (traditional herbs) to keep me going,” said the 41-year-old yesterday.

“Often, they are astonished when I tell them that it’s actually an active sex life and reading that makes one healthy, wealthy and wise.”

Alias is the inaugural recipient of the state-initiated award to honour a teacher who has managed outstanding achievements in education.

He received the award from Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Said at Dewan Al-Muktafi Billah Shah, Universiti Darul Iman Malaysia here.

Alias also received a sponsored package to perform the haj.

The father of four said he made it a point to have sex daily before he and his wife retired for the night and felt it made him more agile and active.

“A good and legitimate sexual relationship is a kind of energy booster for me and my wife that has not only kept our marriage ties cordial but also made our bodies and brains functioning remarkably,” he added.

Alias, who teaches Bahasa Malaysia at SMK Menerong in Hulu Terengganu, said he was able to concentrate on his work after a “blissful” night with his wife.

He added that it was also a nightly ritual for both him and his wife, Rosmahwati Abdullah, 41, to read a few pages of a book and have an intellectual conversation before moving on to other “activities”.

The couple have been doing this since their marriage 25 years ago and they have a collection of 1,000 books, including romance novels.

He has also shared his secret with his eldest son, now 23.