Abdullah Says Not To Worry, He's Alright

LUMUT, May 13 (Bernama) -- "I am well. Don't worry," said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, refuting a claim spread through the Internet that he had fainted while attending a people's feast at the launching of the Hadhari Square in Teluk Batik here Sunday afternoon.
"I will continue with the programmes that been arranged for me," he told reporters here Sunday night.
"The doctor had conducted several tests on me including ECG, blood and blood pressure and these were found to be normal," added Abdullah who was examined by his personal physician Dr Sanjiv Joshi.
Earlier when presenting the keys to nine recipients of houses built under the Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club (BNBBC) community service programme, at the people's feast, Abdullah appeared to be losing balance and almost collapsed but was held by Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Tajol Rosli Ghazali and BNBBC acting chairman Datuk Raja Ahmad Zainuddin Raja Omar.
Abdullah who arrived in Perak this morning to close the BNBBC community programme, had earlier joined the BNBBC members in building homes for three families in Kampung Tanjung Burung in Ujung Pasir, Pantai Remis.
The Prime Minister continued with the gotong-royong by planting trees at Kampung Batu 4, Segari, near here, before moving on to Teluk Batik to close the community programme and join the people's feast.
Abdullah said his condition could be due to the heat as the weather was very hot and his lack of sleep last night.
"I'm relieved now (after the doctor's examination). At first I was worried too. I thank the Almighty that I'm alright," he added.
He recalled that after giving his speech, he sat on stage and when handing over the house-keys to the recipients, he felt terribly tired.
Meanwhile, Dr Sanjiv said Abdullah's condition was due to heat exhaustion.
"From the medical examination, his health condition is found to be good and there's nothing to worry about," he added.
Dr Sanjiv said the heat exhaustion could hit anybody as the temperature was reported to be at 44 degrees Celcius.
"The Menteri Besar noticed that I appeared unwell. So I sat down and when I felt better I continued handing over the keys to the recipients," Abdullah said, adding that he was then examined by his personal doctor.
Asked by reporters whether he felt he was going to faint, he said he did not.
And on how he was feeling now, he said: "I'm alright. Don't worry, I take care of my health. I will continue with tonight's programme."
Raja Ahmad Zainuddin said he was at the function and the claim that the Prime Minister had fainted was not true.
"I was on stage too. The Prime Minister did not faint as claimed by the blogs. He just sat down for a while as he was tired as the heat was at 44 degrees Celsius.
"I'm surprised how the rumour could be spread through the Internet," he added.
Tonight, Abdullah attended the closing of the BNBBC 2007 Retreat programme and scheduled to return to Kuala Lumpur tomorrow.
The three-day programme involved 100 BN Members of Parliament and Perak assemblymen.
The activities included looking at the development in Perak, dialogue with BN leaders, community service programme and sports.

tunku : as a muslim/human, i hope pak lah gets well soon, as the rakyat, i advice pak lah to resign as he's not mentally and physically fit to lead us. pak lah please do have enough sleep at night and don't sleep during day time.