A steady stream of visitors were at the National Heart Institute (IJN) today hoping to see Dr Mahathir Mohamad who is warded there following a mild heart attack yesterday.

But many left disappointed as the former premier was under doctor's order to rest with only family members permitted to see him.

However, Parliamentary Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang ( far right ) was a lucky visitor who managed to see Mahathir briefly in his ward on the first floor at 12.30pm.

"He looks okay. He said it was the strain of travel. He didn't have enough sleep. He went to Saudi Arabia, came back and went straight to Indonesia," Lim told reporters after the visit.

Lim was accompanied by senior DAP leaders, including party deputy chairperson Dr Tan Seng Giaw, Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai and Bukit Bintang MP Fong Kui Lin. However, only Lim and Tan were allowed to see the VIP patient.

Lim said Mahathir was reading a book when the entourage arrived and felt that the former Umno president would be on his feet soon.

"He was sitting on a chair. There was a book in front of him. He was reading. He looked well. (He) should be out and about very soon," said Lim.

Asked whether Mahathir mentioned that he would be attending the Umno general assembly come Nov 15, Lim laughed, "How would I know? That you certainly have to ask him yourself."

Wives of ministers

Later Deputy Premier Najib Tun Razak's wife Rosmah Mansor, in her capacity as acting president of the Welfare Association of Wives of Ministers and Deputy Ministers (Bakti) paid a visit to Dr Siti Hasmah, who has yet to leave IJN since her husband was admitted at 4.30am yesterday morning.

Rosmah was accompanied by Wendy Ong, wife of MCA president and Housing and Local Government Minister Ong Ka Ting and Ena Ling, wife of former MCA president Dr Ling Liong Sik and two other Bakti members.

"We laughed, we joked like normal times. She's very relaxed. I saw Siti only. We are sure Tun (Dr Mahathir) is resting very well. (He was taking his) afternoon nap. I also need my afternoon nap," quipped Rosmah.

Asked if Siti broke down at any point, Rosmah replied, "No lah . Why should she cry? After she had lunch with Tun, she came down to be with us. She was with us for two hours. We want to cheer her up, because in Bakti we always give moral support to each other."

Aside from Mahathir's sons, Mokhzani and Mukhriz coming in and out of the institute, other visitors included Umno Youth executive council member Firdauz Ismail, Sabah MP Ghapur Salleh and former New Straits Times editor-in-chief Abdullah Ahmad.

Also paying a visit in the late afternoon was Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah who managed to enter the ward and see the former premier sound asleep.

All the visitors today were received by Siti Hazmah and family members.

Doctors reported that Mahathir had spent a "trouble-free night, having eaten and slept well throughout the first 24 hours of admission."

It was reported that he wanted 'thosai' (Indian pancake) for breakfast, but his request was denied by the doctors.

Early this morning, the former premier went through a routine blood and x-ray tests and has since been transferred to a normal ward when he would be kept under observation.