Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad may be discharged from hospital soon and his family will host a mass prayer session for his quick recovery after a heart attack, his son said today.

Mukhriz Mahathir said his father was making good progress and was still motivated to criticise Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's administration if necessary.

"According to the doctors, he is supposed to stay in hospital at least seven days from date of admission (on Thursday). It all depends on the doctors themselves," Mukhriz said.

Mahathir was taken to the National Heart Institute after suffering a mild heart attack. He previously suffered a heart attack in 1989 and had bypass surgery.

Mahathir, 81, is recuperating in a normal ward after being moved out of intensive care on Friday.

"I see that he has very good appetite and his medication has been working. I am confident that he will improve in the days to come," Mukhriz said.

He will continue to criticise

Asked if Mahathir will continue his attack on Abdullah's regime, Mukhriz said: "If he sees issues that he thinks are important and continue to be unresolved then yes, he will continue to criticise. But I don't really see it as an anti-government campaign."

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

The former prime minister handed power to Abdullah in October 2003.

The two are embroiled in a bitter dispute, with Mahathir accusing Abdullah of economic mismanagement, corruption and nepotism - charges the incumbent leader has repeatedly denied.

Mukhriz said a get-well prayer session will be held on Tuesday as Abdullah's ruling party, Umno, holds its annual week-long gathering.