Former Malaysian PM Mahathir discharged from hospital

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has been discharged from the hospital after receiving treatment for a respiratory infection. His office confirmed that the 99-year-old politician, who was hospitalised on October 15, has now returned home.

Mahathir, who celebrated his 99th birthday in July, was admitted to the National Heart Institute due to a lower respiratory tract infection.

He has a history of heart problems and has faced multiple hospitalisations in recent years.

His recent health scare prevented him from attending a court hearing concerning a defamation case he filed against Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Mahathir, Malaysia’s longest-serving prime minister, held office from 1981 to 2003 and again from 2018 to 2020.

During his first term, he was praised for transforming Malaysia into a major exporter of high-tech goods, though he faced criticism for his approach to democracy and dissent.

In the 2022 general election, Mahathir suffered a significant political setback by losing his parliamentary seat in Langkawi, marking his first electoral defeat in over 50 years.

Since leaving parliament, he has remained an influential voice in Malaysian politics, often criticising current Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who was once his protégé.