The Sultan of Kelantan Tuanku Ismail Petra Ibni Almarhum Sultan Yahya Petra who has been hospitalised at the Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore since May 15, will be transferred to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL) for further treatment soon, said Kelantan Menteri Besar Abdul Aziz Nik Mat.

He said the decision was made based on the latest report by a panel of physicians appointed by the state government to monitor the sultan's health.

According to him, the report stated that Tuanku Ismail Petra's condition was stable enough to be brought back to Malaysia to continue treatment.

"The Kuala Lumpur Hospital has been recommended as the most suitable hospital for the purpose as it has all the facilities and expert staff needed," Nik Aziz told a press conference at his office in Kota Darulnaim in Kota Baharu today.

Showing progress

The state government at its executive council meeting on Nov 18 had appointed six medical specialists from Hospital Universiti Sains (HUSM) Kubang Kerian, Raja Perempuan Zainab II Hospital (HRPZII), The National Heart Institute and HKL to the panel.

"The panel's responsibility is to update on the sultan's health condition from time to time," added Nik Aziz.

The PAS spiritual leader, however, declined to comment further on the date Tuanku Ismail Petra would be transferred to HKL and the cost incurred by the state government for the Sultan's treatment at Mount Elizabeth Hospital.

Nik Aziz said according to the panel's report received through a letter on Dec 24, for now the sultan was unable to move his hands and legs and experienced reduced vision and speech impairment.

"Tuanku Ismail Petra is being given intensive treatment in terms of medication, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy. The sultan is showing progress as a result of the intensive treatment," he added.

- Bernama