KUALA LUMPUR – A specialist with a private hospital today told the high court here that it is “possible” for his patient Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to attend court proceedings on September 6 for the latter’s corruption case involving Yayasan Akalbudi funds.
Dr Mohd Shahir Anuar of Avisena Specialist Hospital in Shah Alam said this when asked by judge Datuk Collin Lawrence Sequerah, who is presiding over the Umno president’s trial.
Sequerah: In your opinion, doctor, would the patient come to court on September 6? He is required to sit in on the proceedings; he can also take breaks.
Dr Shahir: Possible, but not longer than 40 minutes. He cannot sit for so long, he must do some stretching as well.
The court was yesterday scheduled to hear submissions at the end of the prosecution’s case. However, this was postponed as Zahid was hospitalised on Sunday due to injuries sustained in a fall.
Following this, Sequerah issued a subpoena for Zahid’s doctor to come to court to explain the Bagan Datuk MP’s condition, the procedure he has to undergo, and his expected recovery period.
Dr Shahir today said Zahid is being treated for a slipped disc.
He said he was informed by Zahid that the latter slipped in the bathroom last Wednesday shortly after Asar prayers, resulting in him suffering neck and thoracic pain.
“He has no spinal fractures. Yesterday, he underwent a pain intervention procedure to alleviate pain from his slipped disc.”
Asked how long it will take for Zahid to be able to walk as usual, Dr Shahir said: “He can walk normally, but cannot sit for so long. He cannot put pressure by sitting for so long.”
Sequerah: Then, how long he can sit for?
Dr Shahir: Every 30 to 45 minutes, he needs to stand up and stretch.
During questioning by deputy public prosecutor Datuk Raja Rozela Raja Toran earlier, on why the pain intervention procedure was conducted yesterday instead of the day Zahid was admitted to hospital, Dr Shahir said he had to first stabilise his patient’s condition, as Zahid was already on medication.
Raja Rozela: Doctor, do you know that the accused went to Istana Negara on August 19? He also attended the swearing-in ceremony on August 21, a day before he was admitted. I watched the ceremony from start to finish, your patient was there.
The pain he described to you did not prevent him from driving or being driven all the way to Istana Negara, and he sat there for at least one hour until the ceremony ended.
That kind of pain could not prevent him, or did not prevent him (from going to the palace). I put it to you that he is actually malingering, because he has been seen by the whole nation. He is able to walk, he is able to sit. He was able to go to the palace as normal.
Dr Shahir: I disagree. As a doctor, we have to trust our patient. I made sure the pain was real, and we conducted all investigations, including an MRI and a CT scan.
Zahid’s lawyer Datuk Ahmad Zaidi Zainal asked whether his client was on painkillers from the day he fell to when he was present at Istana Negara, and if it is possible for the effects of the painkillers to wear off.
Dr Shahir: Yes, possible.
At the end of the proceedings, Zaidi asked Dr Shahir to check the bench in the dock to see if it is suitable for Zahid, to which the doctor said it is not for a patient suffering a slipped disc and back pain.
“Maybe you can provide a chair with a cushion.”
The court retained September 6 for submissions at the end of the prosecution’s case.
On March 19, the prosecution closed its case after calling 99 witnesses to testify.
Zahid, 68, faces 47 charges: 12 for criminal breach of trust, eight for corruption and 27 for money laundering involving tens of millions of ringgit belonging to Yayasan Akalbudi. – Bernama, August 25, 2021
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