Malaysia ex-PM Mahathir, 100, discharged from hospital

He has been under observation at the National Heart Institute in Kuala Lumpur for fatigue-related issues on Sunday

    • Dr Mahathir has been hospitalised repeatedly in recent years, most recently in October for a respiratory infection.
    • Dr Mahathir has been hospitalised repeatedly in recent years, most recently in October for a respiratory infection. PHOTO: AFP
    Published Sun, Jul 13, 2025 · 04:47 PM — Updated Sun, Jul 13, 2025 · 08:17 PM

    [KUALA LUMPUR] Malaysian former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad was admitted to hospital briefly for fatigue, his office said on Sunday (Jul 13), after media reported he had left a picnic celebration for his 100th birthday early.

    Dr Mahathir, leader of the South-east Asian nation for more than two decades, has a history of heart problems and has undergone bypass surgeries. He has been hospitalised repeatedly in recent years, most recently in October for a respiratory infection.

    He was under observation at the National Heart Institute in Kuala Lumpur for fatigue-related issues on Sunday, his office said. “Mahathir has been allowed home as of 4.45 pm (0845 GMT).”

    A physician who was a Member of Parliament until 2022, Dr Mahathir drove himself on Sunday to the celebration, which also marked the 99th birthday of his wife, Hasmah Mohd Ali, a day earlier, local media reported. The reports said he cycled for an hour before appearing tired. His birthday was on Thursday.

    Dr Mahathir was prime minister for 22 years until 2003. He returned as premier in 2018 after leading the opposition coalition to a historic win, but his government collapsed in less than two years due to infighting. REUTERS

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