Focus on Dr Mahathir regaining strength, says Mukhriz

KUALA LUMPUR: It has been four weeks since former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad underwent his second coronary bypass operation on Sept 4 and he is apparently making positive progress.
His son, Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir said his family was optimistic with Dr Mahathir's progress in his post surgical rehabilitation process as he continued to be in the intensive care unit of the National Heart Institute.
"We are happy with his progress. We thank everyone for their kind prayers for his speedy recovery. If possible, continue with the prayers. He has some way to go before he is fully recovered," he told reporters after a press conference on the Malaysian Franchise award ceremony here Tuesday.
Mukhriz, who is Malaysian Franchise Association president, said his mother, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali was still in IJN to be by his father's side and she only left the institute once when his brother (Datuk Mokhzani) held a simple breaking of fast ceremony in conjunction with Ramadan.
Mukhriz said according to the doctors, the focus now was for Dr Mahathir to regain strength following a subsequent surgery to treat a wound infection on Sept 22.
"He is not too picky with his food. As long as he eats 2,000 calories a day, the doctors allow it. He eats a lot of bread, porridge, ice cream, jelly, eggs and nutritional drinks," he said.
Asked whether Dr Mahathir would be celebrating Hari Raya Aidilfitri in IJN, he said: "Seems that way."
On whether the public could visit his father then, Mukhriz said it would not be appropriate because IJN was a hospital.
"It is better to wait until he fully recovers and go home. At that time, we can hold a kenduri kesyukuran (thanksgiving ceremony). He is not the only patient in IJN. We have to respect other patients."
Mukhriz also advised the public not to easily be taken in by rumours about his father's death circulated via SMSes.
He said they should get updates about his father's progress through media reports, IJN's press statements and his sister Datin Paduka Marina's blog (http://rantingsbymm.blogspot.com)
"I received a lot of SMSes from people who conveyed their condolences. Some of my friends asked about my wellbeing following the rumours and I replied that it is untrue.
"What's even more moving was that there were also people crying over the phone. I had to console them and explain to them that they were all rumours," he added.
Mukhriz said he was puzzled by the spread of the rumours because IJN issued statements either on a daily or weekly basis, while his sister updated her blog either daily or every two days.
"We will not lie about our father's condition," he added.
On why such SMSes spread, he said: "This is not something new. Previously, when my father was ill, there were similar SMSes. I think it is ill-intent. It is also because of the people's habit of forwarding SMSes without checking the source."
Dr Mahathir's first coronary bypass was carried out in 1989.
In her blog, Marina mentioned her father's moods could be likened to the seven dwarfs - grouchy, grumpy, whiny, snarly, whatever-ly, smirky and sometimes smiley.
His nurses complain that he only smiles for other people and not for them and in response, he does a small smirk. I remind him that a smile means both sides of the mouth have to be upturned and he gives me a grimace."
She said Dr Mahathir persuaded the ward sister to bring him homemade capati and plain dhall for lunch on Monday and on Tuesday he requested for chicken chop from the Lake Club Putrajaya and kway teow soup from the family's cook.
She added her father also enjoyed deliveries of creme caramel for dessert sometimes.

tunku : we have been praying for Tun's well being and will continue to do so.Insyaallah,Tun will be back soon,healthy and charged up.It seems that Tun will celebrate hari raya in hospital ward, our doa are always with you Tun.