SARAWAK police have confirmed that former state governor Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud, 88, is at Demak Jaya, his private residence in Petra Jaya, Kuching.
Sarawak police commissioner Datuk Mancha Ata said this, following reports that Taib was earlier removed from the Normah Medical Specialist Centre by his wife.
Mancha was speaking to reporters after launching this year’s Chinese New Year Ops Selamat at the Sarawak police contingent headquarters in Kuching this morning.
“Yes, he is still in his private residence,” he said.
Taib’s wife, Toh Puan Raghad Kurdi Taib, is also there with him and the police are still probing allegations against her, he added.
“We have received eight reports against her with regards to the case (of her allegedly using force in taking Taib out from the specialist hospital),” Mancha said.
It was earlier reported that Raghad allegedly showed up at the hospital at 11.56pm last Saturday with her butler and bodyguard and took Taib away.
A medical officer who lodged a police report said Raghad did this despite advice to have the patient remain at the hospital for proper and adequate treatment.
“I was informed by the staff nurse that she (Raghad) proceeded to voluntarily remove all medication attached to the patient without alerting the ICU staff on duty,” read the report by Dr Mohd Nazrin Jefri, who was the attending resident MO at the time.
Taib was then taken by Raghad, her butler and bodyguard in a wheelchair to a black Toyota Alphard parked at the entrance of the hospital lobby.
According to the police report, Dr Mohd Nazrin tried to explain once again to Raghad that her action of taking Taib from the hospital’s care may cause harm to the patient.
Yesterday, Raghad denied that she was trying to leave the country.
“My main concern is the welfare of my husband Taib and I will not leave the country,” she had said.
“I will continue to serve Sarawak in charity works and help my husband recover.
“Please do not believe the rumours being circulated by people who are tarnishing my image,” she had said in a press statement.
She also denied using force to take Taib out from a specialist hospital. She said she had taken him home after being given approval by staff at the hospital.
Mancha confirmed that police are investigating the case under Section 336 of the Penal Code.
“We call on the public not to speculate on the matter and leave it to the police to investigate,” he had said. – The Vibes, February 7, 2024
