{
  "id": 10847841,
  "title": "Malaysia’s Mahathir in hospital for observation a day after wife’s death",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/malaysias-mahathir-in-hospital-for-observation-a-day-after-wifes-death",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-30T03:28:11.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "South China Morning Post",
    "slug": "south-china-morning-post",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3369276/malaysias-mahathir-hospital-observation-day-after-wifes-death"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Malaysia's long-serving former Prime Minister, 101-year-old Mahathir Mohamad, has been admitted to the hospital for observation, his office announced on Wednesday. The news follows his wife's sudden death at the same institution just a day prior. It remains unclear as to why the elderly leader was admitted, with his aide Sufi Yusuff stating that doctors are awaiting a diagnosis. Health concerns have been a recurring theme for Mahathir, who has experienced multiple hospitalizations in recent years. In January, he was hospitalized for three weeks due to a broken hip, effectively putting him in a wheelchair as his doctors deemed surgery too risky given his age. Just months earlier, he was admitted to the heart institute for fatigue following his 100th birthday celebrations. In October 2024, he spent two weeks in the hospital after contracting a lung infection. Mahathir's health troubles are well-documented, with two bypass surgeries performed in 1989 and 2007. The former premier has made a resurgence in the news this week as tributes pour in from Malaysians and regional leaders following the unexpected passing of his wife. Mahathir made a brief video expressing his shock at her death, seen sharing his disbelief when speaking with Pahang ruler Sultan Abdullah Ahmad Shah. Known as a staunch Malay nationalist, Mahathir spearheaded Malaysia's transformation from an agrarian economy into a regional industrial powerhouse during his first term as Prime Minister from 1981 to 2003. He is credited with averting a major debt crisis by refusing an International Monetary Fund bailout in the late 1990s, instead choosing to peg the currency to the US dollar to stabilize the economy. However, Mahathir was also notorious for his intolerance towards dissent. During his early years in office, over 100 opposition politicians, activists, and journalists were detained under a controversial operation targeting critics of his administration. Malaysia's international standing was further marred by his role in imprisoning former Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on corruption and sodomy charges after a falling out between the two in the latter years of Mahathir's tenure.",
  "summary": "Malaysia's former prime minister, Mahathir Mohamad, has been admitted to the National Heart Institute for observation. He is 101 years old. His admission comes a day after the death of his wife, Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali, who passed away at the same hospital at the age of 100. According to the Malay Mail, she died after her condition deteriorated following a heart attack.\n\nMahathir and Siti Hasmah were married for 70 years and had seven children. Both were doctors by training. Siti Hasmah was laid to rest at Pusara Negara in Precinct 20, Putrajaya.\n\nThe reason for Mahathir's admission is not specified. His office confirmed his hospitalisation.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Dr Mahathir admitted to IJN for observation",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/dr-mahathir-admitted-to-ijn-for-observation",
        "published": "2026-09-30T02:21:46.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malaysiakini",
        "title": "Dr M admitted to IJN for observation, son says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/dr-m-admitted-to-ijn-for-observation-son-says",
        "published": "2026-09-30T02:43:01.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}