SPECIALIST CLEARED OF SYED ALMAN’S DEATH
Inconsistencies in testimony of anaesthetist and autopsy expert on cause of death, says judge
THE Sessions Court here yesterday acquitted and discharged an obstetrics and gynaecology specialist who was charged with causing the death of former deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s sonin-law, Datuk Syed Alman Zain Syed Alwi, during a dental treatment three years ago.
Judge Zaman Mohd Noor ordered the release of Dr Ting Teck Chin, 38, after finding that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case.
“There were inconsistencies in the testimony of the anaesthetist and the autopsy expert on the cause of death. The anaesthetist said there was cardiac arrest as a result of over-sedation, while the autopsy expert opined that the death was due to allergy to anaesthetic.
“However, the testimony by the anaesthetist did say the possibility of the death due to allergy to anaesthetic, although it seldom happens, but the possibility is there. Therefore, the accused is acquitted and discharged without having to enter his defence,” said the judge.
A total of 25 prosecution witnesses testified during the hearing which began early last year.
On Aug 12, 2016, Dr Ting , who is with the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Kuala Lumpur Hospital, pleaded not guilty to causing the death of Syed Alman Zain, 44, during a dental treatment at the Imperial Dental Specialist Centre in Jalan Telawi, Bangsar Baru, Brickfields here, between 6pm and 9.05pm on June 1, 2016.
He was charged under Section 304(b) of the Penal Code, which provides an imprisonment for up to 10 years or a fine or both, on conviction.
Syed Alman Zain, 41, reportedly lost consciousness while receiving dental treatment at the centre and was referred to University of Malaya Medical Centre before being pronounced dead.
The prosecution was conducted by deputy public prosecutor Shukor Abu Bakar, while Dr Ting was represented by lawyers Datuk K. Kumaraendran, K. Dev and Teh See Khoon.Bernama