KUALA LUMPUR — Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has been admitted to the National Heart Institute (IJN) for observation, just days after the death of his wife, Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali.
Mahathir, 101, was admitted on the night of Sept. 29, according to his office. The reason for his admission was not immediately disclosed while doctors awaited an official diagnosis.
His son, Mokhzani Mahathir, said his father was in stable condition and that there was no immediate cause for concern.
“He was admitted to IJN for observation,” Mokhzani told Malaysia’s national news agency Bernama, according to The Straits Times.
Hospitalisation Comes Days After Wife’s Death
The former prime minister’s hospitalisation came shortly after the death of his wife of 70 years.
Siti Hasmah, who was also a doctor and a prominent public-health advocate, died at IJN on Sept. 28 at the age of 100. She and Mahathir married in 1956 and had seven children.
Mahathir was visibly affected by her death. During a condolence visit, he said he had not expected her death to come so soon, recalling that she had appeared well the previous evening.
Her death prompted condolences from across Malaysia, including tributes to her contributions to public healthcare, education and community causes. Singaporean leaders also expressed their condolences.
Mahathir’s Long Political Legacy
Mahathir served as Malaysia’s prime minister in two separate periods, first from 1981 to 2003 and again from 2018 to 2020.
At 101, he remains one of the country’s most prominent political figures and has continued to attract public attention even after leaving office. His recent hospitalisation has therefore drawn renewed attention as Malaysians mourn the loss of his longtime wife and await further information about his condition.
For now, his family says Mahathir is stable, while doctors continue observing him at IJN.
WWC ONE MEDIA G,A
