Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi kicked off a two-week holiday in Australia after a minor medical treatment for a sinus problem yesterday.

New Straits Times quoted family members saying that the minor medical procedure for a nagging sinus problem was conducted in the Australian city of Perth.

The treatment was a success and Abdullah would be discharged today and would remain in Australia for a holiday with his family, the report said.

Abdullah, who has been under attack at home from his predecessor Mahathir Mohamad over policy differences, was due to return to Malaysia in the middle of July.

Meanwhile, Mahathir will be going on a holiday in Turkey and Greece beginning this Sunday until July 20.

According to Singapore's Straits Times , the former premier is holidaying with family members and close friend, tycoon T Ananda Krishnan.

Barrage of criticism

Abdullah has so far remained silent despite a barrage of criticism from Mahathir over decisions to scrap state projects initiated by the former premier.

Mahathir, 81, still commands influence in the government, but in a sign of his fading importance, political figures have lined up to condemn his campaign against the government.

He began his attack on Abdullah's administration in May after it scrapped a Mahathir-era project to build a new bridge to neighbouring Singapore.

Analysts have said that despite the furore, the premier position remains safe, with the economy on track and the next elections not due until 2009.