Mahathir warded in Melbourne hospital with chest infection (Updated)

MELBOURNE: Former Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was admitted to the Epworth Hospital here Saturday morning for treatment of a chest infection.

He is now in the general ward for antibiotics treatment and physiotherapy.

"Dr Mahathir's condition is stable and he has been advised to rest. He is expected to be in hospital for a few days for observation," his office said in a statement released in Kuala Lumpur.

Accompanied by his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, Dr Mahathir arrived here Thursday to address a seminar on human development organised by the Australia Melbourne Umno Club at the University of Melbourne on Saturday.

He was scheduled to share his opinion and idea on the topic "Are We Ready for 1Malaysia: Does Race Still Play a Part?"

(1Malaysia is a guiding principle to build a united and progressive nation in the 21st Century by inculcating the spirit and values of togetherness and sense of belonging, regardless of race, religion and creed.)

At the start of the seminar, the emcee announced that Dr Mahathir was unable to attend the event that he (Dr Mahathir) had been looking forward to and was disappointed that he was unable to do so.

He had asked International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed to address the seminar on his behalf.

Mustapa, when met at the seminar, said Dr Mahathir was resting well. "Tun needs rest and he is going to be fine," he said.

Dr Mahathir's son, Datuk Mukhriz, who is the deputy minister of international trade and industry, was expected to arrive here on Sunday to join his father, he said.

Dr Mahathir, 85, underwent coronary bypass surgery at the Kuala Lumpur General Hospital in January 1989 and a second such operation at the National Heart Institute in September 2007.

Despite his age, Dr Mahathir, who is adviser to Malaysian national car maker Proton and national oil corporation Petronas, often travels abroad to attend international conferences as he remains a highly sought-after speaker at both local and international events. - Bernama