Malaysian ex-PM 'responding well'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6656491.stm

Version 0 of 1.

Ex-Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad is being moved to a specialist heart hospital after responding well to treatment, an aide says.

Sufi Yussof said the 81-year-old was being flown to a heart institute in Kuala Lumpur after doctors expressed satisfaction at his progress.

Dr Mahathir was admitted to hospital on the resort island of Langkawi on Monday with breathing difficulties.

He had suffered a mild heart attack last November.

"The decision to transfer Mahathir to IJN (National Heart Institute) was made after doctors were satisfied at his positive rate of progress to treatment," Sufi Yusof told reporters.

He said the former prime minister would continue his treatment at the specialist unit.

Accusations

Dr Mahathir was described as being relaxed and cheerful a day after he was admitted into intensive care.

His son said late on Monday "we are optimistic he will be able to recover from this episode".

Dr Mahathir has a history of heart trouble, having undergone bypass surgery in 1989.

Although he retired in 2003, after 22 years in office, Dr Mahathir still wields considerable influence on domestic politics and business.

He has been particularly critical in recent years of his successor Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, whom he accuses of nepotism and corruption.

Mr Abdullah - who rejects the allegations - met his Singaporean counterpart on Langkawi on Monday for two days of informal talks.