Asian Correspondent Asia News

UPDATED VERSION. Former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad continues to make steady progress into his 6th day of post-bypass surgery at Institut Jantung Negara (IJN).

Today, he started consuming a full, normal breakfast of roti canai and high-energy milk.

Picture courtesy Institut Jantung Negara

He later had a full shower, and was taken on a gentle ambulation around the bed. He will continue with intensive physiotherapy at the Intensive Care Unit of IJN, where he is currently warded for post-op observation.

ORIGINAL POSTING

Marina (Mahathir)’s voice was choked when she thanked everyone at the end of the multi-faith prayers we had for former Prime Minister last night. She’s also just a daughter to someone, after all.

She’s a daughter after all… Marina thanking the representatives from the various faiths and well-wishers…

She related to the well-wishers that it was Dr Mahathir who made the decision to have the operation, probably believing he still have many thing unaccomplished for the country, while the operation was successful and the doctors said the “numbers (vital signs) are good.

Last night at 7.00pm, a group of Malaysian well-wishers got together at Blog House for a special multi-faith doa selamat for Dr Mahathir, 82, wishing him a speedy recovery from the heart operation.

It started with Maghrib prayers for Muslims at 7.15pm, led by Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf from New York City. Imam Feisal, born an Egyptian, is the son of the first rector of Islamic International University Malaysia.

A recital on behalf of the multi-faith communities by Imam Feisal

The recital, at the far left is is Holiness Swami Samyam Ananda representing the Hindu community, and on the far right, Ven Rev K. Sri Dhammaratana, the Chief High Priest of Malaysia, representing the Buddhist community

It was followed by prayers led by representatives of Christian, Buddhist, Taoist, Hindu, Sikh and Baha’i faiths.

I was late rushing from another function across the city, and Archbishop Murphy Pakiam, leading the prayers representing the Christian community by the time I arrived.

Archbishop Murphy Pakiam offering prayers from the Christian community

The special multi-faith prayers was open to everyone who would like to come.

Wellwishers from multi-faith

Earlier, marina left a message in Rocky’s Bru:

Dear all, all Malaysians irrespective of religions have been praying for my father in the past week. Churches, temples and mosques have all been holding special prayers.

My family and I are extremely grateful for everyone’s kindness and support. We are so touched by the amount of love there is for Dad.

Last night () we sponsored a doa selamat for Muslims at Masjid Wilayah. It allowed us to not just thank God for His blessings on our father but also to thank personally Muslim well-wishers. However we felt that non-Muslims should not be left out, hence the reason for this multifaith doa selamat.

We are honoured that the leaders of each faith community have agreed to attend and say prayers on behalf of their respective communities.

Marina asked that we also pray for others who went through surgeries at the IJN, where her father is currently warded for post-operation observation.

Ven Rev K. Sri Dhammaratana also extends greetings to Tun Siti for being such a strong pillar for the family

She later rushed to the hospital to convey to her mother, and probably Tun when he’s awake, our well-wishes and our prayers.

All LensaPress photos by Jeff Ooi.