Former Malaysian leader Mahathir was discharged from the hospital

Mahathir Mohamad, the former leader of Malaysia, was taken to the hospital with a lung infection and was subsequently sent home, according to his office.

In July, Mahathir turned 99 years old. An infection in his lower respiratory system led to his hospitalization on October 15.

The long-time politician has previously experienced heart problems and has visited the hospital numerous times in recent years.

Due to his admission to the National Heart Institute in Kuala Lumpur, he was unable to attend a court hearing for a defamation case he filed against the country’s deputy prime minister.

Mahathir was Malaysia’s longest-serving leader. He was prime minister twice, first from 1981 to 2003 and then again from 2018 to 2020.

During his first term in office, Mahathir received praise for his role in making Malaysia a top exporter of high-tech goods, but he also faced accusations of weakening democracy and stifling criticism.

Mahathir shockingly lost his parliamentary seat in the island resort of Langkawi in 2022. It was his first loss in an election in more than 50 years.

He has continued to comment on the politics of the Southeast Asian country after leaving parliament, becoming a well-known critic of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who used to be his protégé but is now his foe.