Malaysia’s former PM Mahathir hospitalised over coughing

MALAYSIA’S 99-year-old former prime minister of two decades, Mahathir Mohamad, has been admitted to hospital for coughing, his spokesperson said on Thursday (Jul 18).

Mahathir has been at the National Heart Institute since Monday and will remain in hospital for a few days, his spokesperson said, without providing further details on his condition.

The former premier has a history of heart problems and was last admitted to the institute in January for an unspecified infection. He was discharged nearly three months later.

Mahathir had two stints as prime minister, his first ending in 2003 after 22 years in the job.

He returned as premier at the age of 92 after leading the opposition coalition to a historic election win in 2018, defeating the party he once led. His government collapsed in less than two years due to infighting. REUTERS