Former Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has been moved out of intensive care as he continues to make a speedy recovery from a heart attack, his son said Saturday.

"He has progressed tremendously and has been moved to a normal ward in just two days," said Mokhzani Mahathir .

The 81-year-old Mahathir later told reporters that he wanted to rest and confirmed that he would not attend the annual gathering of the ruling party he led for 22 years.

"I want to rest. I hope the assembly goes well," he was quoted as saying by Bernama news agency.

"I have to rest for at least three weeks for the (heart) condition to recuperate. I do not want to think of anything else," he added.

The ruling Umno will hold its annual gathering next week where Mahathir had been expected to come under attack following his feud with Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Bernama said Mahathir looked "weak" during the interview.

Mahathir shocked the country after he was taken to the National Heart Institute Thursday after suffering a mild heart attack.

The ex-premier previously suffered a heart attack in 1989 and had bypass surgery.

Mokhzani said Mahathir was already talking and meeting with visitors.

Mahathir was in "fine spirits" since being transferred late Friday, the heart institute said in a statement.

Want him to rest

Mokhzani said doctors were satisfied with Mahathir's response to medication but his father had been kept away from political news.

"We have kept him away from subjects in the news and anything that may get him excited," he said.

"I just want him to rest and I don't want him to get agitated," he added.

Mahathir's heart attack has been blamed on "excessive travelling" after recent visits to Saudi Arabia and New Zealand.

Mahathir led Malaysia for 22 years before handing over power to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in October 2003.

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Meanwhile, another of Mahathir's son, Mukhriz, said doctors treating the former prime minister had advised him to stay at the hospital for at least another week so that he could receive treatment and rest.

He was speaking to reporters after Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and wife, Rosmah Mansor, visited Mahathir today.

Asked on his father's condition, Mukhriz said Mahathir was more comfortable now after being transferred out of the Coronary Care Unit (CCU).

"Today, he looked more at ease ... he was able to shave. It's a small pleasure of life," he said.

Mukhriz also said that his mother, Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamed Ali, was coping well but was busy attending to her husband.

He added that his mother would also give the Umno general assembly a miss because she had to be with Mahathir at the hospital.

"If the general assembly is telecast live on TV, then he (Dr Mahathir) will watch it from his room at the hospital," he said.