Mahathir Mohamad taken to hospital after his fall: details of his health condition

Official sources close to former Malaysian Prime Minister Dr. Mahathir Mohamad reported that he was hospitalized on Tuesday after suffering a fall at his residence. His aide, Sufi Yusof, confirmed to AFP that the 100-year-old veteran leader is currently under close medical observation at the National Institute of Cardiology in Kuala Lumpur.

According to the released details, Mahathir Mohamad was fully conscious when he was taken to the hospital, as the accident occurred while he was moving from the balcony to the living room of his home. Although the aide declined to provide specific details about the injury, the medical procedure was a precaution due to his age and medical history.

A history of health challenges

This is not the first time Mahathir has been hospitalized recently; last July, he was admitted for treatment due to severe exhaustion following his 100th birthday celebrations. Mahathir has a long history of heart problems and has undergone several delicate surgeries, including coronary artery bypass grafting, making his health a matter of constant concern and monitoring by the medical team at the National Institute of Cardiology.

Mahathir Mohamad: The architect of Malaysia's renaissance

Mahathir Mohamad occupies an exceptional place in Asian and global political memory, often referred to as the "Father of Modernization" in Malaysia. He first served as Prime Minister from 1981 to 2003, a period that witnessed Malaysia's transformation from an agricultural nation reliant on rubber and tin exports into a leading industrial power in Asia. His name is synonymous with mega-projects such as the Petronas Twin Towers, infrastructure development, and the Vision 2020 initiative, which aimed to propel Malaysia into a developed nation.

A historic comeback and lasting impact

In a rare political event, Mahathir returned to power in 2018 at the age of 92, becoming the world's oldest elected prime minister. He led an opposition alliance to a historic victory that ousted the party he had led for many years, amidst a major corruption scandal that rocked the country. Despite his resignation in 2020, Mahathir remains an influential figure in Malaysian and Islamic politics, with his health being a matter of public concern followed by millions due to his symbolic importance and pivotal role in the history of modern Southeast Asia.