Rise to the occasion

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad may still be in hospital following his second heart bypass, but it doesn't stop him from giving the OK for the opening of his bakery business in Kuala Lumpur.

Sufi Yusoff, his press secretary, sent a flyer to bloggers today on the opening of The Loaf @ Pavilion tomorrow. The high-end bakery business is a joint venture between Dr Mahathir and his Japanese partner. Sufi urged everyone to attend the opening.

Meanwhile, Singapore's Today newspaper has dedicated a long article to Dr Mahathir and Marina Mahathir's blog about her father's current condition.

The article is generally fair and balanced. But I also feel that some parts are not quite justified.

For example, the writer Pauline Loh said that Marina's blog has become a "hugely successful public relations scoreboard for her father, known for his scathing criticism of the current leaders, an attitude sometimes interpreted as a reluctance to let go the reins he had held for 22 years."

For the record, Dr Mahathir stepped down willingly in 2003 and declined to hang on to any government portfolio. He kept his silence for two years before he started criticising the Badawi administration for certain policy decisions.

And no, I don't think Dr Mahathir has any intention to cling on to power. It is not wrong for him to be upset over changes that effectively unravel his legacy. I'm quite sure there was a gentleman's agreement between Badawi and his former boss to carry out his legacy as part of the handover exercise.

The writer also said that "the elder statesman is now seen as a grandfatherly figure among Malaysians, who humour his crankiness and scathing tongue, and in fact seem to miss his decisive bluntness."

I don't think many Malaysians simply humour his 'crankiness'. Throughout his two decades in power, I think Dr Mahathir had 'taught' many Malaysians to speak up through his no-holds-barred attitude towards many bigger political figures. He wasn't afraid to criticise even the United States when it's justified. One example is Dr Mahathir's criticism of the US invasion of Iraq.

He gave many Malaysians pride. I also believe that Dr Mahathir is the ultimate nationalist. I couldn't help thinking that Dr Mahathir must have picked his surgery date to be after the National Day celebration on Aug 31, so that he won't miss all the festivities.

According to the well-written The Star article and pix, no one suspected his impending surgery especially given the way he enjoyed himself at the 50th Merdeka parade, then just two days from his date with his heart surgeons. I believe no doctor would have said no if he had wanted to schedule his surgery early due to the urgency of the matter.

Anyway, please go to the opening of Dr M's bakery if you happen to be in KL tomorrow. I'm quite sure this will help bring a smile to Dr M, and help him rise to the occasion. :-)

Updated: Long Live Dr M!!!

Malaysian blogosphere has been excited with pix of ex-PM Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who is recovering from his second heart bypass since 1989. Pix taken from screenshot. Read daughter Marina Mahathir for all the first-hand accounts.

Long Live Mahathir!!!

Latest update (13 September 2007) - Rocky cited the heart hospital as saying that Dr M is out of intensive care, walking unaided, and eating regular diet.

Prayer for Dr M again

It's disheartening to read that former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad will undergo another heart surgery -- his second bypass since 1989.

It will be a rather intrusive surgery for a 82-year-old who has had three heart attacks in the last one year. According to reports, the surgery will be done at the National Heart Institute, the same place where he had his first bypass. He was admitted yesterday.

Dr Mahathir, who retired in October 2003, still keeps a punishing schedule of travel, speaking engagements and press interviews.

Daughter Marina Mahathir will have all the first-hand accounts.

Dr M recovering, part 2

Former Malaysian premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad did suffer a heart attack earlier this week when he complained of breathing difficulties, which led to his hospitalisation. This is his second heart attack in six months and his third since 1989.

But he feels much better now, according to his aide Sufi Yusoff and press reports.

In an e-mail reply to Sophie today, Sufi said:

Dear Sophie,

I apologise for not replying to the mail earlier. Things were just zooming by and I just got swept by events the last few days.

Dr M is progressing really well now. The National Heart Institute confirms that he had a heart attack and the breathing difficulty was caused by that and a chest infection, both ailments of which are not new to him.

We had Bernama take some pictures of him today on the road to recovery. Hopefully the papers will pick it up.

Again I apologise, and thank you for your concern on Dr M.

Regards,
Sufi

P/s I managed to tell him that a poodle called Sophie from Singapore sent her regards... :-)

Sophie is glad that Dr Mahathir -- the longest-serving leader of Malaysia before he stepped down in 2003 -- is ok. He can walk around his room and even cracked jokes, according to the AFP report below. Hope his laughter is related to Sufi's remark about a poodle called Sophie. I ain't a poodle, I'm a schnauzer! :-)

Mahathir feels much better
Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia's former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Friday he was feeling better after suffering a heart attack earlier this week.

Mahathir said he could now walk around his room at the National Heart Institute, where he is warded, and was not feeling dizzy or having difficulty breathing, the state Bernama news agency reported.

"I feel much better now," Mahathir told Bernama. "I also have no dietary restrictions," he added.

Bernama described his mood as jovial, with the 81-year-old outspoken ex-premier cracking jokes and reading the newspaper.

Mahathir was admitted after having breathing difficulties, which doctors said on Thursday was due to lung congestion caused by a heart attack.

Mahathir said he would ease up on his schedule on the advice of his personal physician as well as the consulting cardiologist, Nasir Muda, Bernama reported.

"Dr Mahathir still needs to undergo chest physiotherapy daily and must be under doctors' observation," Nasir said, adding he would remain at the institute for a few more days. - AFP