Mahathir, 92, hospitalised for chest infection; Hishammuddin wishes him speedy recovery

Marina Mahathir posted a photo of herself and her father on Twitter, saying that he "just needs some rest". PHOTO: TWITTER/MARINA MAHATHIR

KUALA LUMPUR (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Former Malaysian prime minister and now opposition leader Mahathir Mohamad has been admitted to the National Heart Institute (IJN) over a chest infection.

In a statement on Saturday (Feb 10), IJN said that the 92-year-old Pakatan Harapan chairman was being treated in the general ward for the infection after a bad bout of cough.

"Dr Mahathir will be admitted for a few days to allow for treatment and observation. Visits only for close family members," it said.

His daughter Marina Mahathir tweeted that she had visited her father at IJN on Saturday, together with a picture of the two of them sitting on a couch smiling.

"Went to visit Dad this morning. He's good, just needs some rest. He'll be back to kick some butts again soon!" she tweeted.

Umno vice-president Hishammuddin Tun Hussein wished Dr Mahathir a speedy recovery.

The Defence Minister and Sembrong MP said he was unaware that Dr Mahathir had been hospitalised.

"I pray that Dr Mahathir will have a speedy recovery before the coming general election," he said on Saturday at an event in Kluang.

Dr Mahathir was supposed to be at a Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia programme in Bentong on Saturday, but cancelled his appearance the night before, following doctors' advice.

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.