IGP: Absurd to say Taib abducted

KUALA LUMPUR: Claims that Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud had been abducted are absurd, says Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain.

He said the former Sarawak Yang di-Pertua Negeri was brought home to where his siblings and children could freely visit.

“He is also tended to by doctors and nurses. Thus, it is absurd to say he was abducted or kidnapped,” he told a press conference after launching Op Selamat in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebration at Persada PLUS here yesterday.

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The IGP said there were several inaccurate news reports on the matter that had been circulating.

“It was spread by word of mouth and even on WhatsApp,” he said.

He said information in these reports had not come officially from the Sarawak police commissioner, the Bukit Aman CID director or even himself.

Razarudin said police had launched an investigation following several police reports lodged by Abdul Taib’s children, lawyer and doctor.

It was reported that Abdul Taib’s wife said her only concern is her husband’s well-being.

Toh Puan Raghad Kurdi Taib said news and images circulated on social media about her over the past few days have tarnished her image and reputation.

“I humbly request, please stop all these assumptions and malicious accusations towards me as my priority is only to take care of my husband at this point in time. Please do not believe in any of the rumours being said about me,” she said.

Meanwhile, Sarawak police have confirmed that Abdul Taib is at Demak Jaya, his private residence in Kuching, Sarawak.

“He is now in his own residence,” state police commissioner Comm Datuk Mancha Ata told reporters after launching Op Selamat at the Sarawak state police headquarters yesterday.

He also said police were still investigating reports that Abdul Taib was taken from a private hospital here last Saturday.

“As of Tuesday, we have received eight reports, including from his family members. It is still under investigation; we cannot go into the details,” he said.

On Monday, Comm Mancha had said the case was being investigated under Section 336 of the Penal Code for rash or negligent acts that endanger human life or personal safety.