‘Possible’ for Zahid to attend court on Sept 6, says doctor

A medical specialist told the High Court in Kuala Lumpur today that Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is in hospital for the treatment of a slipped disc.

Dr Mohd Shahir Anuar, from Avisena Specialist Hospital in Shah Alam, told presiding judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah that due to his condition, it was only “possible” for the Umno president to attend court proceedings on Sept 6 for his corruption case involving funds belonging to Yayasan Akalbudi.

Sequerah: In your opinion, doctor, would the patient in this position come to court on Sept 6? He is required to sit during the proceedings, he also can take a break.

Shahir: Possible, but not longer than 40 minutes. He cannot sit for so long, he must do some stretching as well.

Yesterday, the court was scheduled to hear submissions at the end of the prosecution’s case.

However, it was postponed as the accused was hospitalised on Aug 22 due to injuries sustained as a result of a fall.

Sequerah had then issued a subpoena to the doctor to come to court to explain the medical condition of Zahid as well as the procedure he would have to undergo, and to ascertain the recovery period.

Asked about the admission process, Shahir said Zahid informed him that he had slipped in the toilet on Wednesday, Aug 18, shortly after the asar or late afternoon prayer, causing him to suffer from neck and thoracic pain.

“He has no spine fractures. Yesterday, he underwent a pain intervention procedure to alleviate the pain for his slipped disc,” he added.

When asked how long it would take for Zahid to walk as usual, 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?

Shahir: Usually every 30 to 45 minutes, he needs to stand up and stretch his body.