Mahathir misses New Year fun

Mahathir misses New Year fun

KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters): Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad skipped a couple of functions to mark the Chinese New Year due to a bout of flu, officials said on Wednesday.

The 75-year-old prime minister's weary appearance since his return from a recent trip to Japan has sparked speculation over his health.

On Monday, Mahathir cut short an important meeting of his United Malays National Organization (UMNO) party after complaining he was suffering from flu, aides said.

They, however, said his condition was improving and he was expected to recover soon.

"He's still got a cough, that's why he didn't turn up today," Mahathir's deputy Abdullah Badawi said at Wednesday's Chinese New Year celebrations organized by the Malaysian Chinese Association, the biggest party in Mahathir's government after UMNO.