KUALA LUMPUR – Toh Puan Raghad Kurdi Taib, wife of former Sarawak governor Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud, has lodged a police report over claims that she had taken her husband out of hospital against doctors’ advice.
In a statement today, she said she is prepared to cooperate with the police in any investigation, adding that she will also pursue legal action against the hospital if deemed necessary.
She said the allegations in the report lodged on February 4 were “demonstrably false and deeply concerning.”
“As the wife and carer of Tun 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.
Raghad denied the claims against her, stating that the doctor in charge, Dr Tan Sian Kong, cleared Taib’s discharge on February 3 after she informed Dr Tan of Taib’s scheduled appointment with a doctor at Cardiac Vascular Sentral Kuala Lumpur (CVSKL).
“Dr Tan approved his discharge and deemed him fit for travel. Dr Tan’s referral letter to CVSKL further substantiates the legitimacy of the discharge and planned admission,” she said.
“The decision to bring Taib home was based on informed consent and his right to opt for his best care,” she said, adding that all the necessary discharge documents were according to the hospital’s procedure and all relevant hospital personnel were aware of the discharge.
In the comfort of his home, Taib has 24-hour medical support (including staffed nurses and scheduled doctor visits), necessary equipment, and medication for care and recuperation while waiting for admission to CVSKL.
She also said that claims that she voluntarily removed Taib’s medications by herself without alerting the staff on duty are “completely untrue”.
“Requests for assistance to remove Taib’s medical devices were ignored by hospital staff despite repeated calls for assistance.”
“The poor treatment and inconsistent medical advice are serious issues that need to be looked into and investigated by the hospital.
“The false accusations have caused unnecessary stress and confusion,” she said.
Urging the public to disregard “misleading reports,” Raghad also said Taib’s right to privacy and informed medical decisions should be respected.
“My family will remain steadfast and united in these trying times, and we kindly seek the public’s prayers for my husband’s health and well-being,” she added.
According to the police report filed against Raghad, she removed all medications attached to Taib without informing hospital staff.
Meanwhile, when contacted by Scoop, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain confirmed the police report filed by Raghad.
“There is a report made by Raghad,” he said briefly.
Earlier this month, Raghad denied taking her husband out of the hospital against the advice of doctors. – February 18, 2024