KUALA LUMPUR • Former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad was admitted to the National Heart Institute (IJN) in Kuala Lumpur yesterday with a chest infection.

An IJN statement said he was likely to be kept under observation for the next few days. "Tun is... in the general ward and based on the medical team's advice, visitation is strictly for close family members only," it said.

Tun Dr Mahathir, who was prime minister for 22 years until he retired in 2003, has had several heart operations.

He has been kept busy over the past few months as he stepped up a campaign to topple Prime Minister Najib Razak over the financial scandal involving state fund 1Malaysia Development Bhd.

Dr Mahathir, 91, quit the ruling Umno in March and is involved in the formation of the new Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, together with former deputy prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK