Former Malaysian PM Mahathir recovering in hospital after undergoing 'elective medical procedure'
FILE PHOTO: Malaysia's former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad reacts during an interview with Reuters in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, October 16, 2020. REUTERS/Lim Huey Teng/File Photo
KUALA LUMPUR: Former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad has successfully undergone an elective medical procedure and is currently recovering, the National Heart Institute said in a statement on Sunday (Jan 9).
Dr Mahathir, 96, who was admitted to hospital on Friday for the second time in two weeks, underwent the procedure on Saturday.
"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 Dr Mahathir while he is in hospital.
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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.
