Updated: Dr M going home!

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad (ST pix) has finally been discharged from hospital following his protracted recovery from his second heart bypass seven weeks ago.

An AP report cited the hospital as saying that Dr Mahathir, 82, is expected to continue with physiotherapy exercises at home and return to the institute for routine checkups.

The news report said a November heart attack forced Dr Mahathir to halt his one-man campaign against Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, whom he picked to succeed him when he retired in 2003 after 22 years in power. Dr Mahathir has accused Mr Abdullah of nepotism and mismanaging the economy. Mr Abdullah rejects the charges.

Sophie's World doesn't think Dr Mahathir will resume his campaign so soon to resolve the bridge issue and the unfulfilled gentlemen's agreement with Badawi.

Dr Mahathir needs to take it easy for some time even if his enemies continue to snipe at him. And Dr Mahathir should not waste time with someone like Khairy Jamaluddin, the son-in-law of Badawi.

Incidentally, the profile of Khairy in Singapore's Today this weekend is way too sycophantic. The article paints such a positive picture of the young man as if he's a PM candidate.

The political star in Malaysia has always been the visionary Dr Mahathir, not a young and ambitious upstart with many faces like Khairy.


Sophie's Choice
Dr M's daughter Marina Mahathir takes a dig at Khairy.