In a statement today, IJN said the medical procedure, which was carried out by doctors from the institute and University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), went smoothly.

It also said that Mahathir was currently recuperating well.

“He is awake and in high spirits. Based on his clinical progress, he is expected to be discharged from IJN within a few days.”

The hospital added that no visitors were allowed because of Covid-19 SOPs.

Mahathir, 96, was admitted to IJN on Dec 16 for a full check-up. He was discharged on schedule a week later after undergoing what the hospital said was “a series of medical investigations”.

Mahathir has a history of heart ailments.

He suffered his first heart attack in 1989 and had a heart bypass surgery. He had two more heart attacks in 2006. The following year, he underwent surgery for a quadruple bypass.

In February 2018, he was hospitalised again with a chest infection.