Deputy Minister of Legal Affairs Mohamed Hanipa Maidin collapsed early this morning during a monthly assembly of officials from the Prime Minister’s Department.
Hanipa, 48, collapsed, falling head-first from the half-meter high stage, just five minutes into Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad’s speech. The PM paused while officials from the Malaysian Civil Defence Department rushed to his aid, and an ambulance was called.
Medical officials were quick to arrive on the scene, and attended to the deputy minister before loading him onto a stretcher, at which time he could be seen making some movements.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa, both medical doctors, were among the first to check on Hanipa when he collapsed.
Two years ago, Hanipa suffered a stroke, and underwent emergency surgery for a brain hemorrhage. No further reports on his condition have been issued.
