Letter to Editor
ON Feb 4, a police report was lodged alleging that Tun Taib Mahmud was “absconded” from the Normah Specialist Hospital in Kuching.
The allegations in the report are demonstrably false and deeply concerning. As the wife and carer of Tun Taib, I, Toh Puan Raghad Kurdi Taib, place my husband’s health and well-being as the utmost priority and would never undertake uninformed action to jeopardise his recovery.
This statement refutes these recent reports and aims to clarify the following:
a. Tun Taib was not “absconded” from Normah Hospital
Following the doctor-in-charge, Dr Tan Sian Kong’s clearance for discharge on Feb 3, I informed him of Tun Taib’s scheduled appointment with Dr Rosli (Mohd Ali) at CVS (Cardiac Vascular Sentral) Kuala Lumpur Hospital.
Dr Tan approved his discharge and deemed him fit for travel. Dr Tan’s referral letter to CVS Kuala Lumpur Hospital further substantiates the legitimacy of the discharge and planned admission.
b. The decision to bring Tun Taib home was based on informed consent and his right to opt for his best care.
All the necessary discharge documents according to the hospital’s procedure have 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 Kuala Lumpur Hospital under Dr. Rosli’s care.
c. Claims of voluntary removal of medications by myself without alerting the staff on duty are completely untrue.
Requests for assistance in removing medical devices were ignored by hospital staff despite repeated calls for assistance. The poor treatment and inconsistent medical advice is a serious issue that needs 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 to protect Tun Taib’s privacy and right to choose his medical care.
We are fully prepared to cooperate with the police in any investigation and will pursue legal action against Normah Hospital if necessary.
I urge the public to disregard misleading reports and respect Tun Taib’s right to privacy and informed medical decisions. My family will remain steadfast and united in these trying times. We kindly seek the public’s prayers for my husband, Tun Taib’s health and well-being. – Feb 18, 2024
Toh Puan Raghad Kurdi Taib is the Syrian-born current wife of former Sarawak chief minister and governor Tun Taib Mahmud whom he married in 2010 following the demise of his wife Datuk Amar Laila Taib on April 30, 2009.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
Main photo credit: Instagram/raghadtaib
