Dr Mahathir In ICU At Langkawi Hospital !

Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad was admitted to Langkawi Hospital this afternoon after complaining of breathing difficulties.
- Malaysiakini

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Langkawi Hospital at 3.50pm today after complaining of breathing difficulty while resting in his room at the Langkasuka Hotel.

His press officer, Sufi Yusni Yusof, told Bernama that the former prime minister was in stable condition and was being monitored by doctors.

Dr Mahathir, who was accompanied by his wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamed Ali, arrived at the resort island at 11am today for a two-day private visit. They were scheduled to return to Kuala Lumpur tomorrow afternoon.

They were in Bukit Merah, Perak, since Thursday to attend a get-together of the "Class of 47" of the King Edward College of Medicine, Singapore.

Sufi said Dr Mahathir was conscious when he complained of exhaustion. He was taken to the hospital by car by his personal physician, Dr Nasir Muda.
(Bernama)


Meanwhile, The blogsite operator who reported that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi fainted at a function in Lumut, Perak, Sunday could face action including being charged under the Sedition Act if the article contained elements of slander.

Deputy Minister of Energy, Water and Communications Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor said the ministry was studying the report before deciding on the type of action to be taken against the blogger.

"I have not read the report in the blogsite but if there are elements of slander, action can be taken under the Penal Code. This comes under the Internal Security Ministry," he told reporters at the parliament lobby here today.

He was commenting on a report in a blogsite that Abdullah fainted at the function in Lumut. The Prime Minister has since denied the report and regretted its inaccuracy.

Shaziman said his ministry would cooperate with the Internal Security Ministry in identifying the blogger.

In addition, the blogger could also be charged under the Communications and Multimedia Commission Act 1998, and if found guilty could be fined RM50,000 or one years' jail or both.

Asked whether the government would control blogsites to prevent a recurrence, Shaziman said the government was holding on to the "bill of guarantee" under the Act which did not allow censorship of the Internet.

However, action could be taken against bloggers under other Acts.

Meanwhile, Umno information chief Tan Sri Muhammad Mohd Taib described the report in the blogsite as inaccurate and "naughty" and made by certain people out to destabilise Umno and the government.

"Bloggers always want to confuse the people by reporting untruths, and their postings are usually inclined towards the Opposition. They hope to create panic and adverse effects on certain sectors," he added.

Muhammad hoped the government would take stern action against bloggers who pose a threat to peace and national security.

Read also update from Rocky here.