KUALA LUMPUR:  , Malaysia’s almost 100- yr- old former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad was discharged from hospital on Monday ( Mar 18 ), about two weeks after he was admitted for an illness, his department said.
The 98-year-old, who was later hailed as the world’s oldest serving president when he became prime minister for the next period in 2018, was admitted to the National Heart Institute on January 26.
” Mahathir may be resting at home for a while”, an aide told AFP on condition of anonymity.
When his persistent entrance sparked concerns, Mahathir’s workplace shared pictures of him reading newspapers and taking notes.
In a short message sent last Monday, before the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, he thanked Malay for their condolences and also wishes.
Mahathir served as Malaysia’s interim leader from 1981 to 2003, and he then retired to lead a liberal coalition that toppled Najib Razak’s scandal-tainted law in 2018.
At the age of 92, he was elected prime minister once, but his alliance fell apart two years later as a result of infighting.
Mahathir, who lost his parliamentary seats in 2022 in a shocking battle, is still active in politics and has come to face fierce opposition from Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
He was even admitted to hospital in December 2021, January 2022 and August 2023 for health checks.
Mahathir has had several heart issues over the years, including having some heart attacks and having bypass operation.