PH’s Paloh candidate Dr Ruban hospitalised over slipped disc

PETALING JAYA: Dr A Ruban, Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) candidate for the Paloh seat in the Johor polls, was admitted to a hospital in Batu Pahat at noon today after suffering complications from a slipped disc.

His campaign manager, Abdul Majid Abd Aziz, confirmed the matter when contacted, saying Ruban sought treatment after experiencing pain that had hindered his movement since this morning.

He said the 42-year-old Johor DAP committee member has a history of spinal issues and had previously undergone surgery, but the pain recurred, which he believed was due to the strenuous campaign schedule for the state polls.

“He has been on many walkabouts. His health was affected, possibly due to fatigue and a tight schedule, but he is currently receiving treatment at the hospital.

“However, his condition is not critical. He may be discharged within a day or two,” Bernama reported him as saying today.

Majid said the PH machinery for the Paloh seat would continue actively engaging with the community.

“We will ensure Ruban’s message and manifesto reach the voters, even though he cannot be on the ground for the time being,” he said.

The Paloh seat is witnessing a four-cornered contest involving Ruban, Perikatan Nasional’s D Jeevakumar, independent candidate G Kamaleswaren, and the seat’s incumbent, Barisan Nasional candidate Lee Ting Han.

BN and PH are vying for all 56 seats up for grabs in the Johor assembly, while PN is contesting 33 seats.