No special treatment given to hospitalised former Malaysia PM Najib: Khairy

PUTRAJAYA: There has been no interference in Najib Razak's medical treatment and the former Malaysian prime minister has not received any special treatment while he has been hospitalised, Malaysia's Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said on Wednesday (Sep 21).

Khairy said that Ministry of Health (MOH) conducts itself professionally in accordance with existing procedures and guidelines at all times.

The postponement of proceedings in Najib's ongoing corruption trial was sought by a public prosecutor so that Najib could seek hospital treatment, Khairy added.

Najib, who last month started serving a prison sentence for his graft conviction, is currently being treated at the Cheras Rehabilitation Hospital (HRC) in Kuala Lumpur, the Prisons Department said on Wednesday.

He was admitted to Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL) and underwent a series of treatments and tests. The hospital then referred him to HRC for further treatment and monitoring, the department added. 

"We have done this so that there is no dispute from any party, from his family or Najib himself, that no treatment has been accorded to him," Khairy told reporters on Wednesday.

"We have prepared every treatment needed and every test requested and done so."

He added that after Najib was referred to HKL, the former prime minister was given training to conduct self-rehabilitation treatment.

Khairy also said that medical specialists would hold a family conference with Najib and his family members to inform them of his latest health situation and treatment plan. 

"I understand that after the family conference, Najib will be sent to Kajang Prison immediately after the medical specialists provide a medical release for him," he said.

The specialists are currently preparing medical records to share with Najib's family during the conference, said Khairy, who added that "it won't be long" before Najib is sent back to prison.

Once the medical records are prepared, it means that the specialists are satisfied, he said.

The Prisons Department earlier said that the Kuala Lumpur High Court had on Sep 12 ordered that Najib be taken to the hospital for a medical check-up after it was notified of the health issues he was facing.

Najib began serving his sentence at Kajang Prison in Selangor on Aug 23 immediately after the Federal Court dismissed his appeal to overturn a 12-year-jail term and RM210 million (US$46 million) fine over seven charges in the case involving funds from SRC International, a former unit of 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). 

The ongoing 1MDB trial is Najib’s second corruption case. He was accused of 25 charges of money laundering and abuse of power related to 1MDB funds totalling RM2.3 billion.

The trial is scheduled to resume on Sep 26. 

FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS BEING CONDUCTED

Further investigations are also being conducted by HKL's director, said Khairy, after he was asked if MOH had taken action against a medical officer at the hospital who allegedly exposed Najib's health information indirectly on social media. 

Last week, a tweet was allegedly posted by a HKL medical officer that commented on claims by Najib's children that their father had not obtained proper treatment. 

Khairy said that everyone in the ministry must adhere to the patient's confidentiality ethics under the Medical Act.

"I have instructed the hospital’s director to investigate and disciplinary action will be taken should there be any breach in conduct," he said. 

He added that the investigation was needed to ensure the social media account was owned by the medical officer in question and that the post was made by him.