Why did Prime Minister have surgery abroad?
Malaysiakini.com
Nov 30, 2006
Beh Lih Yi

Why did Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi opt to have a surgery in Australia? asked M Kula Segaran (DAP-Ipoh Barat).

In a parliamentary written reply today, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz said it was because Abdullah wanted to ‘maximise his time to rest and recover’.

According to Nazri, this was in accordance with the doctor’s advice.

“The premier recovered in the shortest time because he gave full attention on the recovery to allow him to report back to duty as soon as possible,” he said.

In late June, Abdullah underwent a minor medical procedure for a nagging sinus problem in Perth amid the height of his spat with ex-premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

He then remained in Australia for a two-week holiday with his family.

Cost of surgery

To another question from Kula Segaran, Nazri said the cost of the surgery was borne by the premier’s family.

“Therefore, there was no taxpayers’ money involved,” he added.

Similarly, Nazri said the medical cost of government ministers who have received treatment overseas were not borne by the taxpayers.

On the name list of these ministers requested by the DAP MP, he said there was a list from 2000 to 2006 but this was not included in the reply. 

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