Malaysia's ex-PM leaves hospital after heart attack

KUALA LUMPUR, May 24 (Reuters) Former Malaysian premier Mahathir Mohamad left hospital today after suffering a heart attack last week, his second in six months, and an aide said he was likely to rest for a few weeks.

The 81-year-old former prime minister looked cheerful and shook hands with well-wishers as he walked out of the National Heart Institute, but did not speak to reporters.

''He is likely to avoid many outside engagements for the next few weeks,'' his spokesman said.

Mahathir would continue chest physiotherapy and light exercises as part of his cardiac rehabilitation programme, the hospital said in a statement.

Mahathir, who ruled Malaysia for 22 years until late 2003, was admitted to hospital on May 14 after he suffered breathing difficulties while on holiday in the resort island of Langkawi.

He was flown next day to the heart institute, where doctors later confirmed that he had lung congestion ''associated with myocardial infarction'', or a heart attack.

Mahathir suffered a mild heart attack last November, months after he whipped up a political furore and launched withering, public attacks on his successor, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

A doctor himself, Mahathir has had a history of heart trouble and had bypass surgery in 1989.

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