Mahathir Mohamad was taken to hospital after his fall... Details of his health condition
Media reports and official statements on Tuesday indicated that former Malaysian Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir Mohamad was transferred to the National Institute of Cardiology in Kuala Lumpur after suffering a fall at his residence. The veteran leader, who turned 100 in July, is under close medical observation to ensure his well-being.
Mahathir Mohamad's personal assistant, Sofi Yusof, told AFP that the Malaysian leader was "conscious," explaining that he "fell while moving from the balcony to the living room" of his home. Despite his initial stable condition, the medical team preferred to keep him under observation at the National Institute of Cardiology, the medical facility where Mahathir regularly receives treatment due to his long history of heart problems.
A history of health challenges
This is not the first time Mahathir has been hospitalized recently; he has suffered from recurring health problems over the past few years. He was previously hospitalized last July due to exhaustion and a persistent cough following his 100th birthday celebrations. Mahathir also has a long history of heart problems, having undergone several delicate surgeries, including coronary artery bypass grafting, and has suffered previous heart attacks. However, he has always been known for his resilience and ability to recover.
Mahathir Mohamad: The architect of Malaysia's renaissance
Mahathir Mohamad is a pivotal figure in modern Asian history and is known as the "Father of Modernization" in Malaysia. He first served as Prime Minister from 1981 to 2003, a period that saw Malaysia transform from an agricultural nation dependent on raw material exports into one of the industrial "Asian Tigers." Mahathir spearheaded mega-projects that put his country on the global map, most notably the Petronas Twin Towers and Kuala Lumpur International Airport, as well as economic policies that shielded Malaysia from the 1997 Asian financial crisis.
A historic comeback and lasting impact
Not content with his initial legacy, Mahathir returned to the political arena with renewed vigor in 2018, achieving a historic victory in the general election at the age of 92, thus becoming the oldest elected prime minister in the world at the time. He led the Pakatan Harapan coalition to oust Najib Razak's government amidst the 1MDB sovereign wealth fund scandal. His second term lasted until 2020, and despite his resignation, his voice remained influential in Malaysian and Islamic public affairs.
Mahathir is widely respected both domestically and internationally as a wise statesman, and news of his health is of great interest given his symbolic status as one of the most prominent leaders who shaped the face of Southeast Asia in the 20th and early 21st centuries.
