Mahathir's Fall at Home and Malaysia’s Bitter Political Divide: Social Media Reactions Show it Clearly
13 Jan 2026 • 4:00 PM MYT
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Malay Mail
Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has been hospitalised after suffering a fracture to his right hip following a fall at his residence, an incident that has triggered widespread online reactions reflecting the deep political polarisation surrounding the veteran leader.
According to reports carried by the Asia News Network, Dr Mahathir sustained the injury after falling at home and was subsequently admitted to the National Heart Institute (Institut Jantung Negara, IJN) in Kuala Lumpur for treatment. His press secretary, Sufi Yusoff, confirmed that the former premier is expected to remain hospitalised for several weeks as he undergoes medical care and recovery.
The incident occurred against the backdrop of Dr Mahathir’s continued and vocal opposition to the Madani government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Since the formation of the current administration, the former leader has remained an outspoken critic, frequently questioning the government’s direction and policies.
Observers note that Dr Mahathir’s political stance follows a difficult chapter in his career after the 15th General Election (GE15) in November 2022, when his party, Pejuang, suffered a crushing defeat. All of its candidates, including Dr Mahathir himself, failed to win their seats and lost their electoral deposits, marking a significant setback for the veteran politician who once dominated Malaysia’s political landscape.
News of his fall and hospitalisation quickly became a subject of intense discussion online. Numerous comments surfaced drawing sharp, often sarcastic parallels between Dr Mahathir’s efforts to politically undermine Anwar Ibrahim and his own misfortune at home. Some framed the incident as poetic justice, suggesting that relentless political battles had taken a personal toll, while others used the moment to voice long-standing grievances against his role in past political upheavals.
At the same time, a segment of the public pushed back strongly against such remarks, calling for restraint and respect given Dr Mahathir’s age and decades of service. Supporters urged Malaysians to separate political disagreements from personal health matters, emphasising compassion and decorum when discussing the condition of an elderly statesman.
Amid the noise of online debate, political analysts cautioned that the episode underscores how deeply divided public sentiment remains. They observed that Dr Mahathir continues to evoke strong emotions on both sides of the political spectrum, with even personal incidents becoming symbols in broader political narratives.
For now, attention has shifted from political manoeuvring to health concerns, with close aides indicating that Dr Mahathir’s focus will be on recovery during his stay at IJN. Whether the incident will prompt a pause in his political activities remains to be seen, but it has once again highlighted how intertwined personal events and national politics have become in Malaysia’s charged political climate.
Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad has been hospitalised after suffering a fracture to his right hip following a fall at his residence, an incident that has triggered widespread online reactions reflecting the deep political polarisation surrounding the veteran leader.
According to reports carried by the Asia News Network, Dr Mahathir sustained the injury after falling at home and was subsequently admitted to the National Heart Institute (Institut Jantung Negara, IJN) in Kuala Lumpur for treatment. His press secretary, Sufi Yusoff, confirmed that the former premier is expected to remain hospitalised for several weeks as he undergoes medical care and recovery.
The incident occurred against the backdrop of Dr Mahathir’s continued and vocal opposition to the Madani government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Since the formation of the current administration, the former leader has remained an outspoken critic, frequently questioning the government’s direction and policies.
Observers note that Dr Mahathir’s political stance follows a difficult chapter in his career after the 15th General Election (GE15) in November 2022, when his party, Pejuang, suffered a crushing defeat. All of its candidates, including Dr Mahathir himself, failed to win their seats and lost their electoral deposits, marking a significant setback for the veteran politician who once dominated Malaysia’s political landscape.
News of his fall and hospitalisation quickly became a subject of intense discussion online. Numerous comments surfaced drawing sharp, often sarcastic parallels between Dr Mahathir’s efforts to politically undermine Anwar Ibrahim and his own misfortune at home. Some framed the incident as poetic justice, suggesting that relentless political battles had taken a personal toll, while others used the moment to voice long-standing grievances against his role in past political upheavals.
At the same time, a segment of the public pushed back strongly against such remarks, calling for restraint and respect given Dr Mahathir’s age and decades of service. Supporters urged Malaysians to separate political disagreements from personal health matters, emphasising compassion and decorum when discussing the condition of an elderly statesman.
Amid the noise of online debate, political analysts cautioned that the episode underscores how deeply divided public sentiment remains. They observed that Dr Mahathir continues to evoke strong emotions on both sides of the political spectrum, with even personal incidents becoming symbols in broader political narratives.
For now, attention has shifted from political manoeuvring to health concerns, with close aides indicating that Dr Mahathir’s focus will be on recovery during his stay at IJN. Whether the incident will prompt a pause in his political activities remains to be seen, but it has once again highlighted how intertwined personal events and national politics have become in Malaysia’s charged political climate.
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