Tun M in Wheelchair Attends 2026 National Day Celebration
PUTRAJAYA: Former Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, once again stole the spotlight when he arrived at Dataran Putrajaya to enliven the 2026 National Day and Malaysia Day (HKHM) celebration here on Monday.
Through a TikTok live stream video @chedetofficial, the 101-year-old statesman was seen waving at visitors while seated on an electric wheelchair.
Dr Mahathir also took the opportunity to meet and interact warmly with the public.
Not only that, members of the public, including security personnel, did not miss the chance to shake hands and take selfies with Dr Mahathir.
The former Langkawi Member of Parliament also recorded a brief message on his Facebook, accompanied by a video of his tenure leading Malaysia from 1981 to 2003 (first term) and 2018 to 2020 (second term).
“Happy 69th Independence Day and National Day, Malaysia,” he said.
This is not the first time he has attended the HKHM celebration in Putrajaya, but it is his first appearance arriving in a wheelchair.
Previously, when asked by the media at the 2025 HKHM celebration, Dr Mahathir had informed that he had never received any official invitation to the annual event, but he acknowledged that he did not take offence.
As a Malaysian citizen, he held the view that anyone has the right to attend such celebration events.
On 6 January last year, Dr Mahathir was admitted to the National Heart Institute (IJN) for rehabilitation of a fractured hip caused by a fall while exercising at his residence in The Mines.
On 13 July 2025, the political figure was rushed to IJN due to exhaustion during the Picnic & Potluck programme in conjunction with the celebration of his 100th birthday on 10 July and the 99th birthday of his wife, Tun Dr Hasmah Mohd Ali.
He was discharged at 4.45 pm that same day after being admitted at around 10 am.
Sinar Harian