Jan 23 hearing for DPM son-in-law's death case

The Sessions Court here today set five days, beginning Jan 23 next year, to hear the case of an obstetrician and gynaecologist charged with causing the death of Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's son-in-law during a dental treatment.

Judge Zaman Mohd Noor fixed the dates after allowing an application by the prosecution, conducted by deputy public prosecutor Shukor Abu Bakar, who requested for a new hearing date as he needed time to prepare the documents for use in the trial to the defence.

Lawyer Dev Kumaraendran, representing Dr Ting Teck Chin, 36, confirmed the matter and did not object.

The court also set Nov 11 for case management and submission of documents.

On Aug 12 this year, Dr Ting, a part-time anesthetist at the Imperial Dental Specialist Centre, had pleaded not guilty to the charge of causing the death of Datuk Syed Alman Zain Syed Alwi, 44.

Dr Ting, who is with the O&G Department at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital, was alleged to have committed the offence at the Imperial Dental Specialist Centre, Lot 62 & 64, Jalan Telawi, Bangsar Baru, Brickfields, here between 6pm and 9.05pm last June 1.

The charge, under Section 304(b) of the Penal Code for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, carries an imprisonment for up to 10 years, or fine, or both, if found guilty.

Syed Alman Zain, who was married to Ahmad Zahid's eldest daughter Datuk Nurulhidayah, 37, reportedly lost consciousness while receiving dental treatment at the centre and was referred to University of Malaya Medical Centre before being confirmed dead.

Meanwhile, in another court, judge Hamri Thamri Mohamad @ Shaharudin set Nov 11 for case management of the case involving the dental company, Imperial Dental Specialist Centre Sdn Bhd, which is facing nine charges associated with Syed Alman Zain's death.

The company, represented by its director, Dr Wong Yen Ling, had pleaded not guilty to the charges last Aug 12.