Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad left last night for New York to attend the World Economic Forum and Malaysian Investment Summit.

A Bernama report today said the premier took a Malaysia Airlines commercial flight which departed from the Kuala Lumpur International Airport at 11.55pm.

Mahathir, accompanied by his wife Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali arrived at the airport at 11.30pm. Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and several cabinet ministers were present to see them off.

After New York, Mahathir will head for the Antarctica for a six-day working visit as part of his month-long holiday. He is expected to return home on Feb 28.

Keynote speaker

In New York, the premier will be among several world leaders who will address the five-day World Economic Forum beginning on Thursday.

Mahathir will also be the keynote speaker at the Malaysian Investment Summit jointly organised by international financial house Salomon Smith Barney, the Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute (Asli) and the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange.

Others speakers, at the summit include Bank Negara governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz, KLSE chairman Mohd Azlan Hashim and Penang Chief Minister Dr Koh Tsu Koon.