TV sports newscaster Ras Adiba Radzi today expressed disappointment with the criticism of the RM393,000 donation she received to treat her paralysis as a result of a back injury.

Asked to comment on the recent spate of press reports, Ras Adiba, who is currently undergoing a rehabilitation programme at the Napean Kingswood Hospital in Sydney, said: "I'm paralysed here and everyone back home is having fun talking about me."

She added that she would not make any further comments on the press reports.

"I will issue a statement when I get back to Malaysia," she told malaysiakini in a telephone interview.

Asked how long she planned to stay in Sydney, Ras Adiba said she was not sure as it depended on the progress of her recovery.

About a month ago, Ras Adiba suddenly became paralysed from the waist down and was admitted to the Pantai Medical Centre in Kuala Lumpur where she was told that her condition could be due to a spine operation conducted in Australia earlier.

Following this, she said a corrective surgery would cost her about RM300,000 and sought public donation through the media. She managed to raise RM393,000 within a week and was flown to Australia.

However, Napean's Pain Medicine Consultant Dr S R Sundaraj later announced that surgery was not needed and had instead arranged for her to undergo extensive physiotherapy and rehabilitation treatments in Sydney.

SMS interview

Following her interview with malaysiakini via SMS (short messaging service) last week, English tabloid Malay Mail launched a series of reports questioning the TV3 contract sports newscaster's decision to seek treatment in Australia.

She was also questioned on her plans with the donation now since the costly surgery is not necessary.

In a malaysiakini report last week, Ras Adiba, who was asked on the status of the donation, replied: "Correction: I have done my implant surgical procedure, which is a technical surgery that checks on my titanium positioning.

"About fund: Rehab is as costly. I will help the medically in need people when I come home. Thanks and my love to all Malaysians."

Malaysiakini also reported Asia Pacific Orthopaedic Association president Dr K S Sivananthan stating that the facilities for surgery and rehabilitation programmes for spine patients are not only available in many local hospitals and medical centres but also inexpensive.

Malay Mail , among others, quoted Pantai Medical Centre chief executive officer Kalamhamidi Abu Bakar who said the hospital had no role in advising her to undergo treatment in Australia.

The newspaper also reported the concern raised by several parties on the donation for a surgery that did not take place.