Mahathir Mohamad. Photo: Collected

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 6, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Malaysia's 100-year-old former prime 
minister Mahathir Mohamad is being treated for a hip fracture after falling 
at his residence on Tuesday, an aide said.

Mahathir has suffered health problems in recent years and was previously 
hospitalised for fatigue after a picnic celebration for his centenary in 
July.

He was taken conscious by ambulance to the National Heart Institute in Kuala 
Lumpur earlier Tuesday after the fall, aide Sufi Yusoff told AFP.

In a statement issued later in the day, Sufi said "after medical assessment, 
it has been confirmed that Tun (Mahathir) suffered a fracture to the right 
hip".

The former premier "is expected to be admitted for the next few weeks for 
treatment and observation", Sufi added.

He fell while "transiting from one part of the balcony to the living room", 
according to the aide.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his wife Wan Azizah Wan Ismail 
prayed for Mahathir's recovery.

"Azizah and I pray for Tun's (Mahathir's) well-being and speedy recovery, God 
willing," Anwar said in a Facebook post.

Mahathir, Anwar's mentor turned political rival, has previously undergone 
bypass surgeries for heart problems.

He was prime minister from 1981 until 2003, and again from 2018 to 2020.

He reached the age of 94 during his second stint and was the world's oldest 
elected leader at the time.