Malaysia's Mahathir remains in hospital, PM visits

KUALA LUMPUR, Sep 5 (Reuters) Former Malaysian premier Mahathir Mohamad will remain in intensive care for a few more days following heart bypass surgery, a hospital official said today.

Mahathir, the country's longest-serving premier, underwent heart bypass surgery yesterday. It was the second heart bypass for the 82-year-old and followed two heart attacks over the past 10 months. He had heart surgery in 1989 while in office.

Asked when Mahathir would be out of intensive care, Aina Jamil, a spokeswoman for the specialist heart clinic, said: ''Not so soon because a normal by-pass will take about two to three days.'' She said Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi visited the hospital but could not see Mahathir as visitors were not allowed in the intensive care unit.

Mahathir ruled for 22 years before retiring in late 2003 and remains an influential political figure, even though he has fallen out with Abdullah, his hand-chosen successor, over policy changes made since his retirement.

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