Ex-S’wak governor missing

KUCHING: Ailing former Sarawak Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud (pic) seems to be at the centre of a tug-of-war with his family members claiming that they have no idea where he is now and his wife denying allegations that she “abducted” him.

One of Taib’s brothers, Datuk Mohammad Tufail Mahmud, has lodged a police report that the former governor was removed from a private hospital against medical advice and without the approval of his family.He said he and the family were “gravely concerned” about Taib’s health and safety.

His report at 11pm on Sunday came hours after another report was made by a doctor at 1.48am the same day.

According to the first report, which has gone viral on social media, Taib was “absconded” by his wife Toh Puan Raghad Kurdi Taib from the hospital against medical advice close to midnight on Saturday.

ALSO READ: Taib's wife denies 'absconding' husband from hospital

The report claimed that he was brought down in a wheelchair by Raghad’s butler and bodyguards and carried into a vehicle at the hospital’s main entrance.

Raghad, however, has taken to Instagram to deny the claim, and posted what she said was a note from a nurse. However, the note was illegible.

Sarawak police commissioner Comm Datuk Mancha Ata confirmed that police had received the report and were looking into the matter.

“The case is being investigated under Section 336 of the Penal Code,” Comm Mancha said in a statement yesterday.

Section 336 covers rash or negligent action which endangers human life or personal safety.

ALSO READ: Sarawak police investigating report Taib removed from hospital against medical advice

Taib, 87, served three terms as Sarawak Governor from March 1, 2014 until Jan 26 this year, when Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar succeeded him.

Taib was previously Sarawak’s longest-serving chief minister from 1981 to 2014.

Meanwhile, Comm Mancha also urged the public not to speculate or share false information on the matter.

He said those who spread fake news could face action for defamation under Section 500 of the Penal Code or improper use of network facilities under Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act.