Ex-Malaysian PM Mahathir successfully underwent medical procedure

In this file photo, former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad speaks during an interview with Associated Press at his office in Putrajaya, Malaysia, on April 18, 2018. (VINCENT THIAN / AP)

KUALA LUMPUR – Former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad, 96, successfully underwent an "elective medical procedure" and is expected to be discharged in a few days, the National Heart Institute said on Sunday.

"The procedure was uneventful and went as planned," the institute said in a statement.

Mahathir was admitted into the institute on Friday, the second time in as many months that he has been hospitalized.

Mahathir, who has a history of heart problems, was admitted on Dec. 16 before being discharged a week later.

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