Dr Mahathir hints at nature of Muhyiddin’s illness

The prime minister says the home minister could be in for a long treatment.

Dr Mahathir says Muhyiddin Yassin may be undergoing chemotherapy.

PETALING JAYA: Dr Mahathir Mohamad today gave a strong hint about the nature of Muhyiddin Yassin’s illness, suggesting that the PPBM president could be undergoing chemotherapy, a treatment done on cancer patients.

“The treatment period may be long,” Mahathir told a late night press conference after attending a meeting with PPBM leaders at the party’s office here.

“He may have follow-up treatment. He may be on chemotherapy,” he said.

The prime minister said he had visited Muhyiddin and that he was coping well.

Muhyiddin, the home minister, has been warded at a Singapore hospital, where he underwent an operation to remove a growth on his pancreas.

He has taken leave since July 12 to undergo follow-up treatment and is expected to be back to work within a month’s time.

Meanwhile, Mahathir said almost 30,000 people have signed up to join PPBM members in Sarawak as the party prepares to expand to the state.

“We just need to ensure there is no overlapping in the Sarawak leadership,” he added.

PPBM’s Sarawak chapter was announced on Aug 5.

At the press conference, Mahathir also responded to criticism that Pakatan Harapan was using Mara, the government’s Bumiputera empowerment agency, for political ends.

“A lot of views expressed have been expressed regarding Mara,” he said, without explaining further.

A Malay pressure group recently urged Putrajaya not to use Mara as its “political ammunition”, saying the agency should instead be strengthened.

The United Malay Economic Action Council (MTEM) also said it was opposed to any move to split up MARA and place it under several ministries. -FMT