International Desk: Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has been admitted to hospital for respiratory infection.

His office reported this information on Wednesday (October 16). Due to illness, the former prime minister could not attend the court hearing in the defamation case filed by him. British news agency Reuters reported this news.

Mahathir, 99, served as Malaysia's prime minister for more than two decades. He has a history of heart disease. Besides, he also underwent bypass surgery. He has been hospitalized several times in recent years. He was last admitted to the hospital in July.

Mahathir appeared in court on Wednesday over a defamation case filed against the current deputy prime minister. However, local media reported that Mahathir's lawyer told the court to admit him to the National Heart Institute. As a result, the hearing of this case was postponed.

An aide to Mahathir told Reuters he was admitted to hospital on Tuesday evening with a cough due to a respiratory infection. He will be on medical leave till October 25.

Mahathir served as Prime Minister for 22 years until 2003. He returned as prime minister in 2018 after leading the opposition coalition to a historic victory. However, his government collapsed in less than two years due to infighting.