Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has been discharged from the hospital after receiving treatment for a respiratory infection. The 99-year-old politician’s office confirmed that he returned home following his hospitalization, which began on October 15 due to a lower respiratory tract infection at the National Heart Institute.
Mahathir, who celebrated his 99th birthday in July, has a history of heart problems and has faced multiple hospitalizations in recent years. His recent health issues prevented him from attending a court hearing related to a defamation case he filed against Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Known as Malaysia’s longest-serving prime minister, Mahathir held office from 1981 to 2003 and again from 2018 to 2020. During his first term, he was credited with transforming Malaysia into a significant exporter of high-tech goods, though his governance faced criticism for its stance on democracy and dissent.
In a significant political setback during the 2022 general election, Mahathir lost his parliamentary seat in Langkawi, marking his first electoral defeat in over 50 years. Despite this, he continues to be an influential figure in Malaysian politics, often voicing criticisms of current Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who was once considered his protégé.
