updated version

Opposition Leader and PAS president Fadzil Mohd Noor is still unconscious 48 hours after undergoing a heart bypass operation at the Hospital Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (HUKM).

HUKM director Prof Dr Zulkifli Ismail told malaysiakini this evening that the PAS leader was recovering but is still unconscious.

He added that Fadzil's condition was due to the anaesthetic administered to the PAS leader during the five-hour surgery on Monday.

However, Zulkifli declined to elaborate saying the hospital was mindful in not revealing too much details.

"We want him to come out of the situation well and fit," said the director.

"He was already very weak when he came in (for surgery). Moreover the operation was an emergency," he added.

In a statement released later this evening, HUKM said that based on Fadzil's previous health record, his "post-operative recovery is expected to be long and complex".

The statement added that Fadzil was at present under the care of a team of specialists.

The hospital also said it was discovered during a routine medical check up on June 6 that Fadzil needed an immediate by-pass heart surgery.

'In good hands'

DAP chairperson Lim Kit Siang, who visited the opposition leader yesterday, told reporters that "Fadzil's condition is still critical, but he is in good hands".

"He is recovering, but he may take some time to fully recover from this operation," he added.

Family members and the PAS leader's political secretary, Dr Mohd Hatta Ramli, have refused to comment on his condition.

It is believed that the 65-year-old politician's health deteriorated due to the long and arduous general assembly of the party which was held recently in Kota Bharu, Kelantan.