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.