Dr M recovering from chest infection

In a statement, IJN said the 92yearold Pakatan Harapan chairman was being treated in the general ward following a bad bout of cough.

“Dr Mahathir will be warded for a few days to allow for treatment and observation. Visits are only for close family members,” it said. His daughter Marina Mahathir tweeted a picture of her visiting him at IJN and 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.

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

Among those who sent their greetings was Umno vicepresident Hishammuddin Hussein who said he prayed for Dr Mahathir’s speedy recovery before the general election.

On Facebook, netizen Colin Choong urged Dr Mahathir to take time off to relax and recharge before going back to politics.

“God bless you with a good and speedy recovery. We are looking forward to seeing you,” said Lee Sophia.

Jeffrey Lee Sgi wished for Dr Mahathir to have a good rest while Aru Arumugam hoped that he would be back to good health as soon as possible.

Agence France Presse reported that Mahathir Mohamad has been picked to lead an opposition bid for election victory.

He who has joined forces with his former protege-turned-nemesis Anwar Ibrahim in an attempt to topple scandal-tainted Prime Minister Najib Razak, "is being treated in the general ward for chest infection following a bout of cough," the National Heart Institute said in a statement.

    Mahathir was admitted late Friday and would remain for a few days for "treatment and observation". In recent weeks, Mahathir has been crisscrossing the country to beef up support for the opposition with polls fast approaching.

    Mahathir has undergone two coronary bypass surgeries, in 1989 and 2007. 

    Political analysts say with Anwar, the country's most popular opposition leader and currently in jail, Mahathir is regarded as the biggest threat for Najib, who must call an election by August but is facing a massive corruption scandal over the sovereign wealth fund 1MDB.

    Mahathir, who during his 22year tenure as prime minister earned the reputation of being an authoritarian, could emerge as the world's oldest leader if the opposition wins.

    But political observers say it will be a tough battle to oust Najib's Barisan Nasional which has been in power since independence in 1957 because the opposition is split. 

    In civil lawsuits, the US Justice Department has alleged that about $4.5 billion was misappropriated from the 1MDB fund founded by Najib. 

    Both 1MDB and Najib have denied any wrongdoing.