KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 4): Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad is still undergoing physiotherapy and further treatment at the National Heart Institute (IJN) here, according to a statement from his office on Friday.

He has been allowed to go home since Wednesday (Feb 2) but has to return to IJN for his treatment, the statement read, adding he has been advised to not receive visitors at this juncture.

"Tun is technically still admitted. He is just allowed to go for 'home leave' everyday for the past three days since Wednesday, between 8am and 4pm. After which he spends the night at IJN," his aide clarified with the media when contacted.

The former premier and his wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali, also conveyed their appreciation to those who have sent their prayers, flowers and greeting cards, the statement further noted.

On Jan 26, Dr Mahathir's daughter, Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir, informed the public that the former premier was recovering well and had moved to a normal ward from the IJN's coronary care unit.

Earlier this year, Dr Mahathir went through an elective procedure at IJN after going through a full medical check-up in December, during which he was kept for six days for observation.

Dr Mahathir previously underwent two bypass surgeries, once in 1989 and again in 2007.

Separately, in a video posted on his official Twitter account, the Langkawi member of parliament reassured the public that he has recovered well from the treatment.

"I would like to inform you that I have recovered, [but] not fully, and for the past few days I have been returning home from the hospital.

"I have been going back home from morning until evening... after that I will return to the hospital because there are procedures that they (the medical team) need to do.

"I would like to thank everyone who had prayed for my recovery," he said.