The Sessions Court in Kuala Lumpur today acquitted and discharged an Obstetrics & Gynaecology specialist who was charged with causing the death of former deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s son-in-law, Syed Alman Zain Syed Alwi, during a dental treatment two years ago.

Bernama reported that 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 at the end of the prosecution’s case.

“There were inconsistencies in the testimony between the anaesthetist and the autopsy expert on the cause of death of the deceased. The anaesthetist said there was cardiac arrest as a result of over-sedation, while the autopsy expert opined that the death was caused due to an allergy to the anaesthetic.

“However, the testimony by the anaesthetist did say the possibility of the death due to an allergy to the anaesthetic, although it seldom happens, 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, Ting, who is with the O&G Department at Kuala Lumpur Hospital, pleaded not guilty to causing the death of Syed Alman, 44, during a dental treatment at the Imperial Dental Specialist Centre in Jalan Telawi, Bangsar Baru, Brickfields, 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, who was married to Ahmad Zahid's eldest daughter, Nurulhidayah, 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 Ting was represented by lawyers K Kumaraendran, K Dev and Teh See Khoon.

Meanwhile, in an Instagram post later, Nurulhidayah lamented the "unfair" verdict granted by the court. 

Citing the decision and calling out to her children with Syed Alman, she said: "This is so unfair to us. Will see. Sorry. Maybe we can think to fight against this from your government (Singapore) since Papa no longer has justice in his own country (Malaysia). #whatashame," she posted.