KUALA LUMPUR - FORMER Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad is eating, exercising and talking with his family after bypass surgery at Malaysia's top heart clinic, hospital officials said.

Dr Mahathir, 82, 'continued to make good progress' under close observation in an intensive care ward following Tuesday's nearly six-hour operation, the National Heart Institute said in a statement on Thursday.

Dr Mahathir started a liquid diet on Thursday morning and is fully conscious, alert and able to converse with his family, the statement said.

'He is currently undergoing intensive physiotherapy to optimise his respiratory function,' the statement added. 'In addition (Mahathir) is also doing light exercises of his arms and legs. His vital parameters continue to be stable.'

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and other government officials and public figures have visited the hospital in recent days, but they did not meet Dr Mahathir because only immediate family members are allowed to see him.

Dr Mahathir chose to have the surgery - his second since 1989 - after he suffered heart attacks in November 2006 and May this year.

The November heart attack forced Dr Mahathir to halt his one-man campaign against Mr Abdullah, whom he picked to succeed him when he retired in 2003 after 22 years in power.

Dr Mahathir has since accused Mr Abdullah of nepotism and mismanaging the economy, charges which Mr Abdullah rejects. -- AP