Malaysian PM down with flu

Malaysian PM down with flu

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has the flu, leading him to take a day off from his hectic schedule to rest, officials said yesterday.

Mahathir was to have attended a signing ceremony by the government's investment arm Khazanah Nasional and US-based Atmel Corp, on the establishment of a US$830 million wafer fabrication plant.

The 72-year-old premier was also supposed to open a technology exhibition later before proceeding to launch an international music college at night.

Mahathir returned last week from a 10-day trade and investment mission to Latin America on a tour which he marked with repeated attacks on currency speculation, prompting markets to push the ringgit down to new lows against the dollar.