Who Is Mahathir Mohamad, Malaysia’s 100-Year-Old Ex-PM, Discharged After Health Scare?

Last Updated:July 13, 2025, 17:47 IST

Mahathir Mohamad was recently admitted to the hospital after complaining of fatigue during a picnic celebration for his 100th birthday. He was discharged on Sunday.

Former Malaysian PM Mahathir Mohamad. (Reuters File Photo)

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who was recently admitted to the hospital after complaining of fatigue during a picnic celebration for his 100th birthday, has been discharged, his office said on Sunday.

Mahathir has a history of heart problems and has undergone bypass surgeries. He has been hospitalised repeatedly in recent years, most recently in October for a respiratory infection.

The former PM was kept under observation at the Heart Institute in Kuala Lumpur for fatigue-related issues on Sunday. “Mahathir has been allowed home as of 4:45 pm (local time)," his office said in a statement.

Mahathir drove himself to the picnic celebration marking his 100th birthday, which also marked the 99th birthday of his wife, Hasmah Mohd Ali. However, local reports said he cycled for an hour before appearing tired.

Who Is Mahathir Mohamad?

Mahathir Mohamad has served as Prime Minister of Malaysia for 22 years till 2003. He returned as the PM again in 2018 after leading the opposition coalition to a historic win, but his government collapsed in less than two years due to infighting. He remains the longest-serving PM in Malaysia and the oldest living PM.

Born on July 10, 1925, Mahathir studied medicine at the University of Malaya and worked as a government medical officer till 1957. He was elected to the parliament for the first time in 1964 as a member of the United Malays Organisation (UMNO).

In 1974, Mahathir was appointed as the Minister of Education, and he became Deputy PM in 1976. He became the president of the UMNO party in 1981 and became the Prime Minister for the first time in July that year, the first commoner to hold that office.

As PM, Mahathir focused on foreign investment and economic growth. He oversaw Malaysia’s transformation into a modern economy but was criticised for authoritarian leadership and suppressing dissent.

Mahathir was highly critical of the West, particularly the US-led invasion of Iraq, and retired as Prime Minister in 2003. He made a dramatic political comeback in 2018 at the age of 92, and his opposition coalition won a historic majority, paving the way for him to become PM again. However, he resigned in February 2020, and the coalition collapsed due to internal conflict.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

News world Who Is Mahathir Mohamad, Malaysia’s 100-Year-Old Ex-PM, Discharged After Health Scare?