KUCHING: Police have received a report regarding how former Sarawak Yang di-Pertua Negeri, Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud, was taken out of a private hospital, where he was being warded, late last night.
Sarawak police commissioner, Datuk Mancha Ata, said the incident is being probed under Section 336 of the Penal Code, under negligence which could endanger the lives of others.
"Sarawak police came across a viral posting involving former Sarawak TYT Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, which was shared on social media.
"The police advise the people not to share the post and refrain from making any speculations," he said in a statement today.
He said spreading false information can be an offence under Section 500 of the Penal Code for slander, as well as Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 for improper use of network facilities and other.
The police report, supposedly lodged by a doctor at the private hospital, went viral today.
London-based website Sarawak Report had claimed that Abdul Taib, who was warded in a private hospital in the state capital, was taken by force back to his residence in Demak Jaya, here last night.
The report, which used the headline 'Taib 'absconded' at midnight from hospital ICU against doctors orders by Raghad', sent shockwaves throughout the community.
The report also contained allegations made against Taib's wife, Toh Puan Raghad Kurdi Taib, claiming that she had taken Taib out of hospital against doctor's orders.
Meanwhile, Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Abang Openg declined to answer any questions regarding the speculation over Taib.
"I don't know," he replied briefly when asked.
Last year, Abang Johari said Taib was recuperating after being taken ill while he was on leave abroad and that his health was improving.
In November last year, Taib's sons had filed an injunction against their stepmother, Raghad, over the transfer of shares of a private company – Cahya Mata Sarawak Berhad to Raghad.
Datuk Seri Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Taib had reportedly challenged the authenticity of his father's signatures on some documents involving transfer of shares from a company to Raghad.