PETALING JAYA – Former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad is conscious and not in critical condition, says his close aide, rejecting claims on social media.

He is still in Institut Jantung Negara (IJN), or National Heart Institute, and “we will issue an update if there is any significant development”, said the aide, when contacted on Feb 19.

Photos released by the aide show the 98-year-old reading a newspaper and doing some writing.

“Dr M is currently being treated and is in the process of recovering from infection,” the aide said when contacted.

The photos were also shared on Dr Mahathir’s social media.

It was reported on Feb 13 that Dr Mahathir would be taking a period of rest following treatment at the institute for an infection after he was admitted on Jan 26.

The 98-year-old’s state of health was revealed during proceedings for his defamation suit against Deputy Prime Minister Zahid Hamidi last week.

Dr Mahathir’s lawyer, Mr Mior Nor Haidir Suhaimi, in an application to postpone proceedings, told the court that his client had been admitted to IJN. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK