KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 18): The wife of Sarawak’s former Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud said she has lodged a police report over claims that she had taken her husband out of the hospital where he was admitted, against doctor’s advice.

In a media statement on Sunday, Toh Puan Raghad Kurdi Taib said she may even pursue legal action against the hospital, if necessary.

She noted that on Feb 4, a police report was lodged alleging that Abdul Taib was “absconded” from Normal Specialist Hospital in Kuching. Such allegations are “demonstrably false and deeply concerning”, she said.

“As the wife and carer of [Abdul Taib], I place my husband’s health and well-being as the utmost priority and would never undertake uninformed action to jeopardise his recovery,” she said.

She claimed that the doctor in charge of her husband, Dr Tan Sian Kong, had approved his discharge. “Following [Dr Tan’s] clearance for discharge on Feb 3, I informed him of [Abdul Taib’s] scheduled appointment with Dr Rosli at CVS Kuala Lumpur Hospital. Dr Tan approved
his discharge and deemed him fit for travel. Dr Tan's referral letter to CVS further substantiates the legitimacy of the discharge and planned admission,” she explained.

She went on to say that the decision to bring Abdul Taib home was based on informed consent and his right to opt for his best care.

“All necessary discharge documents according to the hospital’s procedures [had] been signed and all relevant hospital personnel were aware of the discharge. In the comfort of his own home, he has 24-hour medical support (including staffed nurses and scheduled doctor
visits), necessary equipment, and medication for care and recuperation, while awaiting admission to CVS under Dr Rosli's care,” she said.

Claims of voluntary removal of medications without alerting the staff on duty are untrue, she added. She claimed that requests for assistance in removing medical devices were ignored by hospital staff despite repeated calls for assistance. She said the “poor treatment and inconsistent medical advice” was a serious issue that needed to be looked into and investigated by the hospital.

“The false accusations have caused unnecessary stress and confusion. I have filed a police report to refute these baseless claims and protect [Abdul Taib’s] privacy and right to choose his medical care,” she said, adding that the couple is fully prepared to cooperate with the
police in any investigation.

On Feb 10, the Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain confirmed that Abdul Taib was receiving treatment at a private hospital in Kuala Lumpur. He advised the public not to spread unverified information that could lead to all kinds of speculation.

Read also:
Abdul Taib in KL for treatment — IGP