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Personal life of Mahathir Mohamad

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Mahathir - Siti Hasmah wedding day (5 August 1956)
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Mahathir Mohamad
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Mahathir Mohamad (born 10 July 1925) is a Malaysian politician, author, and physician who served as the country's prime minister for a total of 24 years across two non-consecutive terms, from 1981 to 2003 and again from 2018 to 2020. He is Malaysia's longest-serving prime minister and played a crucial role in the nation's modernization and economic development.

Mahathir's hobbies include sailing, horse riding and carpentry. He has built a functioning steam train and a boat.[1] Mahathir attributed his longevity to disciplined eating habits, reading newspapers daily, exercising and maintaining upright posture.[2] His favourite song is "My Way".[3] Mahathir once revealed that he owns close to 40 horses, which were gifted to him.[4] An avid reader, his favourite authors are Wilbur Smith and Jeffrey Archer.[5] Mahathir, known as a workaholic,[6] humorously remarked in 2019 that KSM is the award he adores, explaining that it stood for Kerja Sampai Mati (work till death).[7]

According to the United Press International (UPI), Mahathir enjoys activities such as cooking and driving his family to downtown restaurants, reflecting a preference for simplicity in his personal life. Despite Malaysian culture's traditional emphasis on courtesy and tolerance, Mahathir is known for his focus on detail and emphasis on swift decision-making.[8] Speaking to Malaysiakini, Mahathir's granddaughter, Ineza, described him as a family-oriented man who enjoys spending time with his family and joking around with his grandchildren.[9] His longevity has sparked various theories, including rumors of blood transfusion therapy, similar to urban legends surrounding other leaders.[10] When asked about this in the 1990s, Mahathir simply chuckled and responded with one word: "Pharmaton," a brand of Vitamin C capsules.[11]

On 22 March 1976, Mahathir was involved in a car accident near Sekinchan. No one was injured, and he continued his journey in a police escort car to officiate school events.[12]

In 2019, Mahathir stated that he had maintained a weight of 62 kg for the past 40 years.[13]

Childhood home

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Mahathir's childhood home in Alor Setar, was opened to the public on 19 December 1992. Named Rumah Kelahiran Mahathir Mohamad, it showcases items such as photographs, personal documents, and medical instruments from his early life.[14] The restoration project, led by the National Archives, was their second after P. Ramlee's house in Penang.[15]

Marriage and family

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While in college, he met his future wife, Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali, who was also a medical student. They married in August 1956, when Mahathir was 31 and Siti Hasmah was 30. Their daughter, Marina, viewed this as progressive since it was considered a late marriage for their generation.[16] He and Siti Hasmah had their first child, Marina, in 1957, before conceiving three others, Mirzan, Mokhzani, and Mukhriz, as well as adopting three more, Melinda, Maizura and Mazhar, over the following 28 years.[17] On 5 August 2021, Mahathir celebrated his 65th wedding anniversary with Siti Hasmah.[18]

Health issues

[edit]

Mahathir has faced several health challenges, including heart problems, pneumonia, and chronic coughs caused by lung infections. However, he mentioned during the International Convention on Biotechnology in 2002 that he successfully overcame his chronic cough by consuming a Chinese medicine containing Tiger Milk Mushroom.[19]

On 22 August 1981, Mahathir fainted from exhaustion during a speech in Kedah but quickly recovered and resumed duties by meeting Thailand's Prime Minister in Bangkok on August 23.[20] Later, he took a two-week vacation in Spain and Portugal to rest.[20]

On 18 January 1989, Mahathir was admitted to the hospital due to chest pains,[21] and subsequently underwent bypass surgery.[22] Despite his doctor's recommendation for surgery in the US, he insisted on being treated in Malaysia to demonstrate confidence in local medical services. Reflecting on the decision, he noted, “As a doctor myself, I understood the risks, including the possibility of not surviving, as the procedure was not common at the time.”[23] After his recovery, Mahathir left the country on March 12 for visits to London, Spain, and Morocco,[24] where he also met with the Spanish Prime Minister Felipe González.[25] He returned to the country on April 3[26] and resumed official duties the following day.[24]

On 2 April 1999, Mahathir was admitted to the National Heart Institute (IJN) due to a lung infection after returning from Mecca.[27][28] He was discharged on 12 April after 11 days of treatment and was advised to rest at home and avoid visitors.[29] Mahathir resumed his duties on 19 April after a week of rest following his treatment.[30]

On 9 November 2006, Mahathir suffered a mild heart attack[31] and was subsequently transferred to the general ward of the IJN after a stable night in the Coronary Care Unit (CCU).[32] He was discharged from the IJN on 14 November.[33]

On 2 September 2007, Mahathir was admitted to the IJN[34] and subsequently underwent his second coronary bypass there successfully.[35] On 13 September, he was moved out of the Intensive Care Unit to a regular ward.[36] On 23 September, he underwent a three-hour procedure to remove infected tissue from a wound.[37] On 25 September, the IJN stated that Mahathir is conscious with his vital parameters stable as he is eased off his support medication.[38] After 50 days in hospital, Mahathir was discharged from the IJN on 21 October.[39]

He was hospitalised for treatment of another chest infection in Australia in October 2010.[40][41][42] On 18 November 2013, Mahathir was admitted to the IJN due to a chest infection and underwent treatment, physiotherapy, and monitoring.[43] On 9 August 2016, he admitted to the IJN again to receive treatment for a chest infection.[44] In February 2018, Mahathir was admitted to the IJN for a chest infection after experiencing a bout of coughing.[45] The following year, as prime minister, he attracted attention when he suffered a nosebleed at a press conference.[46][47]

On 7 March and 27 March 2021, Mahathir received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.[48][49]

In December 2021, Mahathir was admitted to the IJN for a medical check-up and observation.[50][51][52] He was discharged after several days.[53][54][55] In January 2022, Mahathir underwent an unspecified elective medical procedure at the IJN.[56][57] He was readmitted later the same month, and placed in the coronary care unit.[58][59][60][61] He continued rehabilitation and treatment after being discharged.[62][63][64] Meanwhile, rumors about his health spread widely, prompting the government to urge respect for his family's privacy.[65]

In August 2022, Mahathir tested positive for COVID-19 and was admitted to the IJN for observation.[66][67] He was discharged after receiving treatment.[68][69][70]

In August 2023, Mahathir was hospitalised with an infection, he was discharged days later.[71] In January 2024, he was again hospitalised due to an infection,[72] and again six months later in July due to coughing.[73]

On 15 October 2024, Mahathir was admitted to the hospital due to a respiratory infection;[74][75] He was discharged on 28 October.[76][77]

Sleeping habits

[edit]

Following the 1997 Asian financial crisis, Mahathir adopted a habit of working long hours, dedicating himself to stabilizing Malaysia's economy and governance. Despite his demanding schedule, he managed brief afternoon naps to maintain his productivity.[78]

In 2018, Mahathir returned as prime minister and undertook extensive efforts to reform the government. He often worked late into the night, reading over 200 documents until 4:00–5:00 AM and resuming work by 7:00 AM.[78]

Driving habits

[edit]

Mahathir is an avid fan of cars and driving.[79] After returning as prime minister in 2018, he drove around Kuala Lumpur to observe the capital[79] and later took a Ferrari for a spin around the illuminated Sepang International Circuit (SIC).[80] When not behind the wheel, he was chauffeured by Johor’s Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar in a first-generation Proton Saga, a car he had gifted to the ruler’s father in 1985,[81] and also experienced riding in an autonomous Proton Exora.[82]

On 23 September 2024, Mahathir shared a video of himself driving at the Sepang Circuit. In the three-minute video, he accelerated and reached a speed of 154 km per hour.[83]

Security incidents and assassination threats

[edit]
Main article: Security incidents involving Mahathir Mohamad

Mahathir has been the target of various security incidents throughout his political career, including bomb hoaxes, assassination plots, and physical attacks. These incidents, often tied to his political decisions and prominent role in Malaysian politics, were successfully thwarted or resolved without major harm.[citation needed]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "The Spokesman: Mahathir Mohamad". Asiaweek. 30 November 2000. Archived from the original on 5 August 2023. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  2. ^ Mohamad, Mahathir (14 December 2019). "Here's my recipe for staying healthy". New Straits Times. Archived from the original on 7 October 2022. Retrieved 30 August 2023.
  3. ^ "Dr M greeted with a rendition of 'My Way' in Japan". Malaysiakini. 7 August 2018. Archived from the original on 30 August 2023.
  4. ^ "Dr M shares his fondness for horses, tramples on Najib". Malaysiakini. 2016-04-26.
  5. ^ Lim, Ida (1 September 2019). "Pulled out of retirement, Dr M now settles for reading books instead of writing them". Malay Mail. Archived from the original on 30 August 2023.
  6. ^ "Mahathir a workaholic and compulsive reader, says wife". Malaysiakini. 2001-11-04.
  7. ^ Bernama (2019-01-25). "'I adore KSM award,' says Mahathir at his witty best". Malaysiakini.
  8. ^ "Personality Spotlight;NEWLN:Malaysia's Prime Minister". UPI. 1984-01-16.
  9. ^ Azam, Nadia (2019-09-13). "Berkenalan dengan Mahathir 'yang lagi satu'". Malaysiakini (in Malay).
  10. ^ "Blood transfusion? Special diet? What's the secret to Mahathir's longevity?". mothership.sg. 2021-07-22.
  11. ^ "KICKER: Back in the 1990s, when Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was at the peak of his prime ministership (he was around 70 then), he was asked by reporters during one of his engaging media conferences on what made him tick, despite heart by-passes and other surgeries and ailments. A special diet, obviously, good genes, naturally, but more intriguingly, tantalising urban legends that he made annual pilgrimages to Switzerland for blood transfusions, besides gulping down a monthly fortune in exotic medication, the inquiry suggested. Chuckling at the proposition's outlandishness, Dr Mahathir had a succinct answer to his vitality: Pharmaton. It must be a zinger of a health supplement, because he still pops it regularly and as he approaches 88 years old in June, his elegant physique and probing mental acuity are robust enough to fell younger political opponents. In stepping down from his prime ministerial hot seat in October 2003 after a 22-year run, Dr Mahathir executed his final official duty. He has since accentuated his private citizenry that holds a potent grip on public imagination. The riptide of high profile critiques, observations, insights and missives, dispatched from his immensely popular blog and articulated over never-ending speaking engagements, elevated him into a statesman "intellectually licensed to kill" - his words probingly satirical, mocking and double-edged, not just aimed at domestic political foibles but also Western inanities and bullies. It is this formidable intellect, the one that constantly prods Malaysians with blunt assertiveness, biting clarity and historical didacticism that was demonstrated in a luxuriant 90-minute interview with NST journalists RASHID YUSOF, AZMI ANSHAR and ROZANNA LATIFF, and ZAHARI ZAKARIA, who captured an exquisite portrait of the ex-PM at his stylish 86th floor office at the Petronas Twin Towers". New Sunday Times. 2013-04-14.
  12. ^ "Mahathir unhurt in crash". The Straits Times. 1976-03-23.
  13. ^ Reporters, F. M. T. (2019-12-10). "I've been 62kg for the past 40 years, says Dr M". Free Malaysia Today | FMT.
  14. ^ "PM's childhood home on show". New Straits Times. 1992-12-19.
  15. ^ "PM's childhood house will be open to public". New Straits Times. 1992-10-15.
  16. ^ "Marina reveals how Dr M, Dr Siti Hasmah stay married for 60 years". Malay Mail. 2016-07-10.
  17. ^ Kaur, Kirat (12 July 2019). "5 Amazing Things about Dr Siti Hasmah you should know". The Rakyat Post. Archived from the original on 30 September 2020. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
  18. ^ Subramaniam, Saktesh (2021-08-05). "From college mates, to soulmates: M'sia's oldest power couple mark 65 years of marriage". The Vibes.
  19. ^ BP 3 (2019-07-10). "Tun M's four health secrets". Borneo Post Online.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  20. ^ a b "马哈地医生掌政百日". 南洋商报 (in Chinese). 1981-11-04.
  21. ^ "PM will be in hospital for two weeks". New Straits Times. 1989-01-20.
  22. ^ "Dr M: I would have died from first heart attack if not for science". Malaysiakini. 10 July 2018. Archived from the original on 14 October 2022.
  23. ^ Ago, Admemerangin #teammalaysia • 7 Years (2018-05-14). "Why Tun Mahathir should be respected !". Steemit.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  24. ^ a b "Dr Mahathir to give priority to UMNO and Malay unity". New Straits Times. 1989-04-05.
  25. ^ "明日度假归来机场将有欢迎仪式 首相周二恢复视事". 南洋商报 (in Chinese). 1989-04-02.
  26. ^ "Mahathir bertugas semula hari ini". Utusan Malaysia (in Malay). 1989-04-04.
  27. ^ "Dr Mahathir in hospital with lung infection". Business Times. 1999-04-05.
  28. ^ "PM in good health after treatment". New Straits Times. 1999-04-05.
  29. ^ "Dr M discharged from IJN, ordered to rest". Business Times. 1999-04-13.
  30. ^ "Dr M resumes duties after week-long rest". New Straits Times. 1999-04-20.
  31. ^ "Dr M in stable condition". New Straits Times. 2006-11-10.
  32. ^ "Dr M progressing well". New Straits Times. 2006-11-11.
  33. ^ "Dr M leaves hospital". New Straits Times. 2006-11-15.
  34. ^ "Dr M admitted for heart check-up". New Straits Times. 2007-09-03.
  35. ^ "Dr M's bypass surgery a success". New Straits Times. 2007-09-05.
  36. ^ "Dr Mahathir moves out of ICU". New Straits Times. 2007-09-14.
  37. ^ "Dr M undergoes another surgery". New Straits Times. 2007-09-24.
  38. ^ "Dr M in stable condition". New Straits Times. 2007-09-26.
  39. ^ "Dr Mahathir discharged from IJN". New Straits Times. 2007-10-22.
  40. ^ "Mahathir warded in Melbourne hospital with chest infection (Updated)". The Star. 2 October 2010. Archived from the original on 10 January 2022.
  41. ^ Porter, Barry (5 October 2010). "Ex-Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Discharged From Australian Hospital". Bloomberg L.P. Archived from the original on 29 June 2011. Retrieved 12 February 2011.
  42. ^ "Former Malaysian PM sick in Melbourne hospital". ABC News. 2 October 2010. Archived from the original on 30 September 2022.
  43. ^ "Dr M in hospital for chest infection". Malay Mail. 2013-11-18.
  44. ^ Reporters, F. M. T. (2016-08-09). "Mahathir admitted with chest infection". Free Malaysia Today | FMT.
  45. ^ Babulal, Veena (2018-02-10). "Tun Mahathir admitted to IJN with chest infection". NST Online.
  46. ^ Palansamy, Yiswaree (2019-11-19). "PM's nosebleed ends press conference prematurely". Malay Mail.
  47. ^ "Mahathir well, working 'as usual' hours after nosebleed, says aide". TODAY. 2019-11-19.
  48. ^ Reporters, F. M. T. (2021-03-07). "At 96, Dr M is oldest Malaysian Covid-19 vaccine recipient". Free Malaysia Today.
  49. ^ "敦马接种第二剂疫苗". www.enanyang.my (in Simplified Chinese). 2021-03-28.
  50. ^ "Dr M admitted to IJN for medical check-up". The Star. 16 December 2021. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022.
  51. ^ "Mahathir admitted at IJN for next few days". Malaysiakini. 16 December 2021. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022.
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  53. ^ "Mahathir discharged from IJN today". Malaysiakini. 23 December 2021. Archived from the original on 17 April 2022.
  54. ^ "Former Malaysian PM Mahathir discharged from National Heart Institute". Channel News Asia. 23 December 2021. Archived from the original on 27 March 2022.
  55. ^ "Ex-Malaysia PM Mahathir discharged from heart institute". Straits Times. 23 December 2021. Archived from the original on 27 March 2022.
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  57. ^ "Former Malaysian PM Mahathir discharged from hospital after medical procedure". Reuters. Reuters. 13 January 2022. Archived from the original on 24 April 2022.
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  59. ^ "Ex-Malaysia PM Mahathir, 96, hospitalized at heart institute". ABC News. Archived from the original on 22 January 2022. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
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  61. ^ "Former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir is hospitalized in stable condition". CNBC. 22 January 2022. Archived from the original on 24 April 2022.
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  63. ^ "Mahathir discharged from IJN". Malaysiakini. 5 February 2022. Archived from the original on 5 February 2022. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  64. ^ "Malaysia ex-PM Mahathir discharged from hospital". Reuters. Reuters. 5 February 2022. Archived from the original on 5 February 2022. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  65. ^ "Don't spread unverified news on Dr Mahathir's health condition, says minister". Malay Mail. 2022-01-23.
  66. ^ "Dr Mahathir tests positive for Covid-19, admitted to hospital". The Star (Malaysia). 31 August 2022. Archived from the original on 20 August 2023.
  67. ^ "Mahathir, 97, contracts Covid-19". Malaysiakini. 31 August 2022. Archived from the original on 2 September 2022.
  68. ^ "Dr M discharged from IJN, back in home quarantine". The Star. 4 September 2022. Archived from the original on 4 September 2022.
  69. ^ "Dr M gets discharged from IJN". Malaysiakini. 4 September 2022. Archived from the original on 5 September 2022.
  70. ^ "Former Malaysia PM Mahathir, 97, discharged from hospital after COVID-19 treatment". Channel News Asia. 4 September 2022. Archived from the original on 5 September 2022.
  71. ^ "Malaysia's ex-PM Mahathir discharged from hospital after checks: Source". The Straits Times. 5 August 2023. Archived from the original on 19 August 2023.
  72. ^ "Former Malaysia PM Mahathir hospitalized again with infection". Rappler. 13 February 2024.
  73. ^ "Malaysia's former PM Mahathir hospitalised over coughing". Reuters. 18 July 2024. Retrieved 19 July 2024.
  74. ^ "Former Malaysian PM Mahathir, 99, hospitalised with respiratory infection". Reuters. 16 October 2024.
  75. ^ "Former Malaysian PM Mahathir Mohamad hospitalized with respiratory infection". Arab News. 16 October 2024.
  76. ^ "Malaysia's ex-leader Mahathir, 99, discharged from hospital". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
  77. ^ "Malaysia's former PM Mahathir discharged from hospital". Voice of America. 2024-10-29.
  78. ^ a b "Fixing broken nation, Dr Mahathir survives on 2-hour sleep". www.themalaysianinsight.com. 2018-05-18.
  79. ^ a b "As Dr M turns 94, five things we learnt about him in the past year". TODAY. 2019-07-10.
  80. ^ Adilah, By Anith (2018-08-01). "Back in Sepang, Dr M takes Ferrari for a spin around newly lit-up circuit". Malay Mail.
  81. ^ "Johor sultan drives Dr Mahathir to airport in Proton Saga after 'frank meeting'". TODAY. 2019-01-10.
  82. ^ Choong, By Jerry (2019-04-18). "Dr M, Gobind take driverless Proton for a spin (VIDEO)". Malay Mail.
  83. ^ "Speed therapy: Dr M tears up Sepang track, clocks 154kph [WATCH]". New Straits Times. 2024-09-24.
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