Malaysia ex-PM Mahathir, 100, discharged from hospital
Dr Mahathir, leader of the South-east Asian nation for more than two decades, 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.
He was under observation at the National Heart Institute in Kuala Lumpur for fatigue-related issues on Sunday, his office said. 'Mahathir has been allowed home as of 4.45 pm (0845 GMT).'
A physician who was a Member of Parliament until 2022, Dr Mahathir drove himself on Sunday to the celebration, which also marked the 99th birthday of his wife, Hasmah Mohd Ali, a day earlier, local media reported. The reports said he cycled for an hour before appearing tired. His birthday was on Thursday.
Dr Mahathir was prime minister for 22 years until 2003. He returned as premier in 2018 after leading the opposition coalition to a historic win, but his government collapsed in less than two years due to infighting. REUTERS

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
King Charles to host Trump in September for state visit to Britain, palace says
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox MANCHESTER, England - Britain's King Charles will host U.S. President Donald Trump in September for his unprecedented second state visit to Britain, Buckingham Palace said on Monday. The visit will take place from September 17 to 19. "His Majesty the King will host the President and Mrs Trump at Windsor Castle," the palace said in a statement, adding that further details would be announced in due course. Trump said last month he had agreed to meet Charles after British Prime Minister Keir Starmer handed him a handwritten letter from the monarch in the Oval Office. The U.S. president will be the first elected political leader in modern times to be hosted for two state visits by a British monarch. The late Queen Elizabeth welcomed Trump to Buckingham Palace for a three-day state visit in June 2019 during his first term in office, during which he had a private lunch with the sovereign and had tea with Charles, who was then heir. Starmer and Trump are also due to meet in Scotland later this month, a source told Reuters last week, with details including the specific date yet to be finalised. The two leaders have developed a warm relationship in recent months, and last month signed a framework trade deal on the sidelines of a G7 meeting that formally lowered some U.S. tariffs on imports from Britain. In May, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney criticised Britain's invitation to Trump for a state visit, saying it undermined his government's effort to project a united front against the U.S. president's talk of annexing Canada. Trump's past visits to Britain have attracted large protests, with his 2018 trip costing police more than 14 million pounds ($18.88 million) as 10,000 officers were deployed from all over Britain. Most Britons have an unfavourable view of the president, according to opinion polls. State visits are usually pomp-laden affairs featuring an open-top carriage trip through central London and a banquet at Buckingham Palace. REUTERS
Business Times
2 hours ago
- Business Times
With medical costs under the microscope, IHH Healthcare group CEO continues to eye expansion
[SINGAPORE] As IHH Healthcare looks to streamline its operations and expand in its current markets, it is also keeping its eyes peeled for opportunities to grow in new countries, said group chief executive Dr Prem Kumar Nair. When Dr Nair took over the role of group CEO in 2023, he aimed to transform the company to become leaner so that it can continue to grow. 'This is a group that has grown by M&A (mergers and acquisitions) – every time we buy something or we expand, we try to synergise as much as possible… but what happens is, over a period of time, the red tape and bureaucracy build up,' he said. But he noted that 'most of (the) countries (where it operates) have got scope for expansion' by adding hospital beds, or acquiring new hospitals, or building ambulatory care centres. The healthcare operator, which has a presence in 10 countries including Singapore, Malaysia, India, Turkey and China, has grown steadily over the years by acquiring new hospitals. In 2024, it bought Island Hospital in Penang and Timberland Medical Centre in Kuching, Sarawak. Before that, its Indian subsidiary Fortis also bought two hospitals, while its Turkish subsidiary Acibadem Healthcare expanded into East Europe. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up Its acquisitions aim to be earnings accretive. For example, Dr Nair said, Island Hospital added 'a new dimension' to its Malaysian operations, with 60 per cent of its patients being medical tourists. To expand in a more cost-efficient manner, it is looking at brownfield expansion – or adding beds – for markets with bigger land space, such as Malaysia and India. The group has a five-year plan to add 4,000 beds, or 33 per cent of capacity, by 2028. By 2024, it had already added 1,004 beds across its markets. Meanwhile, in Singapore and Hong Kong, it is moving towards the ambulatory care sector, or what it terms as the 'out-of-hospital' strategy. This is because it is not possible to open more private hospitals in these two markets, due to regulations, high costs and lack of space, Dr Nair said. Nevertheless, he noted several similarities in healthcare that can be dealt with at the group level. 'The truth is, a lot of healthcare is the same – (such as) licensing of doctors, accreditation of specialists, nurse licensing, building controls,' he said. 'What we try to standardise are things that may have some variation – quality is one area where we feel that we need to have some standardisation because we want the same outcomes.' By ensuring that patients are able to achieve the same results wherever they choose to engage with the group, Dr Nair said, this will push the group from being just a leader in business to a leader in healthcare services. Medical inflation, insurance premiums Dr Nair noted that as a group, it sees issues that may turn up in different markets from time to time. In 2024, Malaysia went through a bout of medical inflation that likely caused the group 'some softening' in patient admissions and revenue. In June 2025, insurer Great Eastern temporarily suspended pre-authorisation certificates for IHH Healthcare's Mount Elizabeth Hospitals, citing higher costs compared to other private hospitals. Dr Nair noted that payer-provider issues are not new to the healthcare industry, nor to the group. He added that the company is likely 'the most risk diversified healthcare group in the world', operating in 10 countries from the far east to the west. 'We are a heavily regulated industry, and we will continue to be – and it's good because we are dealing with people's lives,' he said. But costs are a perennial issue for an industry that should not compromise quality for price. Hence, to manage costs, Dr Nair said, IHH Healthcare tries to procure equipment at the group level. Technology, digitalisation and innovation also remain key priorities as the ageing population will likely increase healthcare utilisation and push up healthcare costs. Looking ahead, Dr Nair noted that the group is already operating at an average capacity of more than 70 per cent – 'fairly high' for a private hospital – so it needs to continue expanding. He also noted opportunities in Indonesia and Vietnam – two new markets in South-east Asia where the hospital operator is already operating. 'Our preference would be for continued growth in (our existing) countries… but as a responsible global healthcare group, we will have to look at opportunities down the road.'

Straits Times
3 hours ago
- Straits Times
While You Were Sleeping: 5 stories you might have missed, July 14, 2025
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox A Palestinian woman comforts an injured child at the Al-Awda hospital in Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip, following Israeli strikes on July 13. Israeli missile hits Gaza children collecting water, IDF blames malfunction At least eight Palestinians, most of them children, were killed and more than a dozen were wounded in central Gaza when they went to collect water on July 13, local officials said, in an Israeli strike which the military said missed its target. The Israeli military said the missile had intended to hit an Islamic Jihad militant in the area but that a malfunction had caused it to fall 'dozens of metres from the target'. "The IDF regrets any harm to uninvolved civilians," it said in a statement, adding that the incident was under review. The strike hit a water distribution point in Nuseirat refugee camp, killing six children and injuring 17 others, said Dr Ahmed Abu Saifan, an emergency physician at Al-Awda Hospital. READ MORE HERE Macron to raise France's defence targets, citing Russia threat President Emmanuel Macron on July 13 called for a massive boost to France's defence spending, saying freedom in Europe was facing a greater threat than at any time since the end of World War II. 'We are living a pivotal moment,' Mr Macron said in a speech to the armed forces on the eve of the national Bastille Day holiday, denouncing 'imperialist policies', 'annexing powers' and the notion that 'might is right', all a reference to Russia. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Govt will continue to support families, including growing group of seniors: PM Wong at PCF Family Day Singapore From Normal stream to Parliament: 3 Singapore politicians share their journeys World Deal or no deal? EU faces critical decision in response to Trump's latest tariff salvo Singapore Segregated recycling bins found to lower contamination rate as more spring up Sport Two participants injured after another breached safety protocol during Pesta Sukan archery event Asia Mahathir discharged from hospital after feeling fatigued during birthday gathering Singapore Medics treat 7 after blaze at HDB block lift lobby in Chai Chee Singapore I lost my daughter to Kpod addiction: Father of 19-year-old shares heartbreak and lessons 'Never has peace on our continent depended to such an extent on the decisions that we take now,' said Mr Macron. READ MORE HERE Most Thais want PM Paetongtarn to quit or Parliament dissolved: Survey PHOTO: AFP Most Thais want Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to quit or dissolve Parliament to ease political turmoil following her suspension from office by the country's Constitutional Court, according to an opinion poll. Ms Paetongtarn should resign to pave the way for a new premier, 42.4 per cent of respondents said, while 39.9 per cent backed the dissolution of Parliament to trigger new elections, according to the July 4-7 survey by the National Institute of Development Administration, known as Nida. Around 15 per cent of participants expect the prime minister to remain in office and a minority of 1.4 per cent support a coup to change the government, the poll showed. About 1,310 Thais aged 18 and above were interviewed in the survey, which a margin of error of 3 per cent, Nida said on July 13. READ MORE HERE Suspect dead, multiple people injured in series of Kentucky shootings, officials say PHOTO: REUTERS Multiple people, including a Kentucky police trooper, were injured in a series of shootings around Lexington, the state's governor and Kentucky State Police said on X. The state police said the sole suspect in the incident was dead and the police trooper is receiving treatment. Lexington police said the trooper was in stable condition. One of the shootings took place at Richmond Road Baptist Church and emergency responders were at the scene treating multiple victims, state police said. READ MORE HERE Sinner dethrones Alcaraz to capture maiden Wimbledon crown PHOTO: REUTERS Jannik Sinner downed defending champion Carlos Alcaraz 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 on July 13 to win his first Wimbledon title, gaining sweet revenge for his painful defeat in the French Open final. The world number one is the first Italian to win at the All England Club and now has four Grand Slams to his name at the age of 23. Sinner stayed ice cool after losing the first set, with the momentum quickly shifting, and wrapped up victory in a shade over three hours.