Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad has been admitted to the National Heart Institute (IJN) early this morning after suffering a mild heart attack.

His son Mukhriz told malaysiakini that his father was rushed to the IJN at 4.30am this morning.

"He is stable now. Doctors have admitted him for a week for observation," he said.

According to a statement by IJN, Mahathir was admitted into the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) for observation.

"Mahathir is advised to rest and thus, will only receive visits from immediate family members," the institute said.

PM's visit

Mahathir's other son Mokhzani was quoted by the AFP as saying that "he had chest pains late last night and early this morning".

"From the reports the doctors put out today, there is no requirement for any invasive procedures," he said.

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi arrived at the IJN at about 2.15pm to visit Mahathir. He left 15 minutes later without talking to the awaiting media.

Mokhzani said Abdullah was not able to meet Mahathir as the ex-premier was sleeping at that time.

"He was under medication when Abdullah visited. The prime minister was however briefed by Dr Sarjev Joshi on my father's condition," he said.

Missing the Umno AGM

Mahathir had just returned from a short visit to New Zealand yesterday.

He immediately joined in the Hari Raya open house held by his children at his Seri Kembangan home (photo).

He appeared jovial and mingled with the 2,000-odd guests at the function.

This latest development now puts into doubt Mahathir's attendance to the Umno general assembly which begins next Wednesday.

His attendance at the assembly is much anticipated, more so for his continued attacks on his hand-picked successor, Abdullah.

Mahathir has accused Abdullah of economic mismanagement, corruption and nepotism.

Three blockages

According to the International Herald Tribute, which interviewed Mahathir last week, doctors have recently told the 81-year-old former premier that he had three blockages in his heart.

"Mahathir walks more slowly than he used to. He travels frequently, but he enters the back seat of his chauffeured cars carefully and deliberately," said the report.

Mahathir had a triple heart bypass surgery in 1989 after being hospitalised with chest pains. He has been having his regular medical check-ups at the IJN and was last admitted to the institute in December last year.

The National Heart Institute was established in 1992, three years after Mahathir's bypass surgery.

Meanwhile, a dialogue session with Mahathir scheduled to be held in Johor Bahru on Saturday afternoon has been put off to another date as a result of his present condition.