KUALA LUMPUR: Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, 101, has been admitted to the National Heart Institute in Kuala Lumpur for observation, just one day after the death of his wife, Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali.
Mahathir was admitted on Tuesday night, his office said on Wednesday. His aide, Sufi Yusoff, said he was being kept under observation, while the reason for his hospitalisation remained unclear pending an official diagnosis.
Mahathir has a history of heart problems and has undergone bypass surgeries. He has also been hospitalised several times in recent years, including in January after suffering a hip fracture in a fall.
Mahathir’s Political Career
Mahathir first became Malaysia’s prime minister in 1981 and remained in office until 2003. During his first tenure, Malaysia underwent rapid industrialisation and economic development.
He returned to politics in 2018 and led an opposition coalition that defeated the government of then-Prime Minister Najib Razak. Mahathir became prime minister for a second time at the age of 92, making him the world’s oldest serving prime minister at the time.
His second tenure lasted less than two years and ended in 2020 after political turmoil and the collapse of his governing coalition.
Wife Siti Hasmah Dies at 100
Mahathir’s wife, Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali, died on September 28 at the age of 100. She was a doctor and prominent public health advocate, and had been married to Mahathir for 70 years.
Siti Hasmah was buried at Pusara Negara in Putrajaya following a state funeral on the same day.
Mahathir appeared visibly affected by her death. In a video posted on social media, he was seen becoming emotional while speaking with Malaysia’s former king during the funeral proceedings. He said he had not expected his wife to die that day.
