An announcement from Mr. Mahathir Mohamad's office on July 13 said that he was admitted to the National Heart Institute in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) after feeling tired while attending the event.
Although his official birthday is July 10, the party was held a few days later to coincide with the 99th birthday of Msmah Has Mohd Ali - Mr. Mahathir's wife - on July 12.
According to local media, Mr. Mahathir drove himself to the party and rode a bicycle for about an hour before feeling tired. He was hospitalized before the birthday cake cutting party.
He is resting but we hope he will return home tonight, the former prime ministers office said.
Mr. Mahathir has a history of heart disease and has undergone many surgeries. In recent years, he has been hospitalized several times, most recently in October 2024 due to respiratory infections.
During his decades-long political career, Mr. Mahathir served as Prime Minister of Malaysia in two periods: from 1981 to 2003 and from 2018 to 2020. He was a member of parliament until 2022. Before entering politics, he worked as a doctor.
Sharing in a recent interview, Mr. Mahathir revealed the secret to maintaining health and longevity: I train my mind by reading, writing, chatting, discussing, and debating. You have to keep your body and mind active."
He also thanked Ms. Hasmah Mohd Ali - who has accompanied him throughout his political and daily life. My wife always accompanies me. She is not only my wife but also a friend, a supporter of my activities, he said.
