Malaysia

[UPDATED] Dr Mahathir tests positive for Covid-19

97-year-old former prime minister admitted to IJN for observation, his office says

Updated 4 years ago · Published on 31 Aug 2022 11:08AM

[UPDATED] Dr Mahathir tests positive for Covid-19
Pejuang founder Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (pic) is likely to sit out the coming 15th general election due to his health, though he has continued to carry out his duties as an MP. – The Vibes file pic, August 31, 2022

KUALA LUMPUR – Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has tested positive for Covid-19 this morning.

The 97-year-old has been admitted to the National Heart Institute (IJN) for observation for the next few days as advised by the medical team, according to a statement issued by his office.

The last time Dr Mahathir was admitted to IJN was on January 20 as part of a follow-up treatment to an elective procedure he underwent on January 8.

On February 4, the institute said he was undergoing rehabilitative treatment at the facility, while making scheduled visits to his home from the hospital for physiotherapy and additional medical procedures. He was discharged a day after.

He had said in late March that he thought that his “time was up”, while thanking the medical consultants and staffers who treated him at IJN.

The Pejuang founder had also said he would likely sit out the coming 15th general election (GE15) due to his health, but he had been carrying out his constituency duties, attending to party matters and relevant events and press conferences. 

Just yesterday, Dr Mahathir flagged off a Gerakan Tanah Air Semangat Merdeka programme in Putrajaya while saying the group was ready to hold discussions with Perikatan Nasional (PN) on possible cooperation to face GE15.

PN-lynchpin Bersatu was founded by Dr Mahathir before he left the party after the fall of the Pakatan Harapan government in February 2020. – The Vibes, August 31, 2022

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