The Malaysian Insight

FORMER prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his wife Dr Siti Hasmah Ali surprised Bangsar folk when they headed over for a breakfast of tosai at Bala’s Banana Leaf restaurant this morning.

According to Zaid Ibrahim who was also at the restaurant, a large group of fellow diners were pleasantly surprised by the presence of Dr Mahathir, and proceeded to greet him, with some seeking to take selfies with the chairman of the opposition Pakatan Harapan pact.

“He spent about an hour. I’d arrived earlier. It was a warm atmosphere, with many (people) greeting (him).

“It was a very good reception, but not only from that one restaurant. They were very friendly. There were so many forms of greetings,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

The lawyer and DAP member also said in jest that based on the reception by the people of Bangsar this morning, Dr Mahathir could well be the best candidate to stand in the Lembah Pantai parliamentary constituency.

“I think he (Dr Mahathir) will compete here… it’ll be easy for him, but that’s my personal view,” said Zaid, who was formerly an Umno minister.

The restaurant manager, who wanted to be known as Richard, said the atmosphere at the eatery turned festive and exciting when the Bersatu chairman arrived.

“Dr Mahathir and his wife had tosai. Dr Mahathir drank Madras coffee from India.

“Many people came to see him. There were selfies. He paid the bill himself at the counter,” Richard told The Malaysian Insight.

“He said there’s no need for a discount.”

Dr Mahathir, 92, was recently admitted to the National Heart Institute for a chest infection. He was discharged on February 15. – February 24, 2018.