‘Abdul Taib to return from abroad once he gets doctor’s nod’

KUCHING: Sarawak Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud will return home from overseas once he gets the green light from his doctor, says Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

The Sarawak Premier reiterated that Abdul Taib was recuperating after falling ill while he was on leave outside the country.

“He has recovered and is now resting.

“We are waiting for the final report from the hospital and after that he will come back,” he told reporters after launching the state-level National Month and Fly the Jalur Gemilang campaign at state police headquarters here yesterday.

Abang Johari was asked to respond to speculation about the head of state’s health.

Astro Awani had reported about a fake black-and-white poster of Abdul Taib with the caption “Al-Fatihah” being circulated on social media, sparking false news that the leader had passed away.

The news channel warned the public not to be taken in by the fake news, which featured the poster depicting the company’s logo.

Similarly, Astana Negeri said Abdul Taib’s condition is improving and he would come home “very soon”.

In a statement yesterday, it regretted that the public continued to harp on Abdul Taib’s health despite assurance from the Astana and Sarawak Premier’s Office that he was recuperating overseas.

“We hope that the people will be patient and not be easily hoodwinked by unverified news and speculation on Tun’s health,” Abdul Taib’s private secretary Junih Salleh Ahmad said in the statement.