THE doctor treating Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for his back injury told the Kuala Lumpur High Court today that he had no choice but to perform surgery yesterday due to the “great pain” that Zahid was in. 

Dr Mohd Shahir Anuar from Avisena Specialist Hospital in Shah Alam told judge Collin Sequerah that the procedure could only be performed yesterday even though Zahid was admitted to the hospital on Sunday, as he had other chronic diseases and had to be stabilised first.

The doctor explained that Zahid also has diabetes and hypertension, and had previously suffered a cervical slip disc.

“There is no sane mind who would allow the doctor to poke their neck because it is risky (and) can cause paralysis. My patient was in great pain,” Dr Shahir told the court.

The doctor was issued a subpoena to explain Zahid’s condition and told the court the Umno president was not “malingering”.

68-year-old Zahid is facing 47 criminal charges – 12 for criminal breach of trust, eight for corruption, and 27 for money laundering – involving tens of millions of ringgit belonging to charity foundation Yayasan Akalbudi.

The court was supposed to hear submissions at the end of the prosecution’s case by both parties yesterday. However, the matter has been adjourned to September 6, 2021.

The consultant said that based on his clinical judgment and the magnetic resonance imaging scan, it will take four to six weeks before Zahid can be fully mobile again. 

“The patient would also need to stretch after every 35 to 40 minutes of sitting and have a cushion at his seat,” Shahir said.

Judge Collin Lawrence Sequerah then asked: “In your opinion, would the patient be able to come to the court on September 6 with a 10-minute break after 35 to 40 minutes intervals?”

In response, Shahrir said that it is possible, even though two weeks may not be a sufficient period for recuperation. 

The trial date on September 6, 2021 was thereby maintained. 

Zahid was said to have sustained a back injury after slipping and falling in his toilet on Wednesday, August 18, 2021.

At the proceedings today, deputy public prosecutor Raja Rozela Raja Toran questioned the doctor’s claim, pointing out that Zahid was present at the palace on Saturday, August 21, 2021, for Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s swearing-in ceremony.

“That pain obviously did not prevent him from travelling (to the palace) and sitting down for more than an hour at the palace,” she said.

The court adjourned at 4.30pm today. – August 25, 2021.