Former Malaysian PM Mahathir undergoes medical procedure

KUALA LUMPUR: Former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad successfully underwent an “elective medical procedure” and is expected to be discharged in a few days. 

“The procedure was uneventful and went as planned,” the National Heart Institute said in a statement. Mahathir, aged 96, was admitted into the institute on Friday, the second time in as many months that he has been hospitalised.

Mahathir, who has a history of heart problems, was admitted on December 16 before being discharged a week later.

“A team of doctors from the National Heart Institute and Universiti Malaya Medical Centre carried out the procedure. The procedure was uneventful and went as planned,” said the medical facility. The statement added that Dr Mahathir was “currently recuperating well”.

“He is fully awake and in high spirits. Based on his current clinical progress, he is expected to be discharged from the National Health Institute within the next few days.” It also stated that due to institutional protocols in place, no visitors were allowed to visit Mahathir while he is in hospital.

Last month, the former premier was given a full medical check-up with several investigations at the same specialist heart hospital, with doctors discharging him a week later.

Dr Mahathir has had heart problems in the past, suffering several heart attacks and undergoing bypass surgery. He has been one of Malaysia’s most dominant political figures in recent decades, serving twice as prime minister for a total of 24 years.