Woman who ran amok outside PM's department diagnosed with depression

Muhdalena Ahmad, the woman who allegedly ran amok with a man armed with samurai swords outside the Prime Minister's Department here last year, has been diagnosed with depression and psychosis.

Her counsel M.Visvanathan told the Sessions Court here Wednesday he had received a medical certificate for Muhdalena issued by a medical officer from the Psychiatric and Mental Health Department of the Putrajaya Hospital stating that Muhdalena had been diagnosed with "major depressive disorder with psychosis".

He said the medical certificate was for the duration of June 11 to July 11.

Visvanathan said the doctor had certified Muhdalena to be unwell to attend court for one month.

He then requested the court to postpone the trial of her case which was scheduled for today and tomorrow.

The prosecution, led by deputy public prosecutor Kalmizah Salleh, did not object to the postponement.

Judge Mohamed Kamil Nizam subsequently allowed Visvanathan's application and fixed July 29 to continue the trial.

Muhdalena, 28, and Khalil Afendi Abd Hamid, 47, were reported to have run amok outside the Department's building wielding samurai swords and were shot. Khalil later died from his injuries.

Muhdalena was charged on July 16 last year at the Putrajaya Hospital, where she was warded after being shot in the right thigh.

She is facing four charges, under the Penal Code, the Corrosive, Explosive and Dangerous Weapons Act 1958, and Protected Areas and Protected Places Act 1959.

She is accused of criminally intimidating Corporal Ridzuan Megat Ahmad at Complex 'B' of the Prime Minister's Department on July 9, 2012 and possession of a sword at the same place and date.

Muhdalena also allegedly failed to heed Ridzuan's order to put down the sword, and to abide by a minister's advice to obtain a pass or permit for entering the premises.