Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who is now able to walk unaided after two heart surgeries in the past month, will remain in hospital during Hari Raya celebrations this weekend.

In a message which was posted in his daughter Marina's blog today, he thanked all well-wishers who had prayed for his swift recovery.

"My wife and I would like to express our appreciation to everyone who had conveyed their regards and to those who had conducted prayers for my speedy recovery."

The former premier said that he was recovering well after his surgeries and were undergoing post-surgery rehabilitation under the watchful eyes of experts and medical staff at the National Heart Institute (IJN).

"We would like to thank every one of them who had worked hard to ensure my recovery during this Ramadan month," he said in the message which was written in Bahasa Malaysia.

"We might not be able to repay all of the people who had worked hard to take care of me but my wife and I will always pray so that they are always protected by God."

Mahathir, 81, underwent a wound debridement surgery at the IJN on Sept 22 which was carried out by the same team of consultant surgeons who performed a second coronary bypass operation on him on Sept 4.

His doctors are happy with his progress and are continuing with post-surgery rehabilitation including chest and muscle strengthening exercises.

He was transferred out of the Intensive Care Unit of the National Heart Institute (IJN) to a normal ward on Monday afternoon.

A special treat

In his message, Mahathir also apologised for not being able to hold a Hari Raya open house this year.

"We would like to wish everyone a happy Hari Raya Aidil Fitri greetings," he said.

Only immediate family members are allowed to visit him at the moment. Family members have also been ordered to give Mahathir adequate rest in between physiotherapy sessions.

His progress is being documented by Marina in her blog, RantingsbyMM .

In her latest entry today, she posted some latest photographs of Mahathir in a traditional Malay dress. He was accompanied by his wife Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali and Marina in some of these photographs.

Wearing a lemon green Baju Melayu, a lean-looking Mahathir appeared cheerful and well in the photographs.

Marina said that the photographs were a "special treat on behalf of the entire Mahathir family".

"You are seeing these photos way before everyone else in the country. This is to thank all of you for the many, many prayers, love and support that you've shown us in the past six weeks or so while dad was in hospital," she wrote.

"Without you, we could not have gotten to where we are today with an almost healthy again father and a happy Raya to celebrate," she added.

Photographs from Marina's blog