Azmin briefly out of action after spinal injury

Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali will be out of action for some time, after suffering a spinal injury.

This was revealed by Selangor exco member Teng Chang Kim at a state Chinese New Year dinner in Petaling Jaya tonight, which Azmin did not attend.

"He sends his apologies for not being able to be here because has had an annular tear of (the spinal) disc.

"On the doctor's stern advice, the menteri besar is required to undergo treatment at a hospital including intensive physiotherapy procedures for a period deemed necessary," Teng said in his speech.

An annular tear is a tear within the intervertebral discs, which serve as shock absorbers for the spine and are sandwiched between the bones that make up the vertebral column. 

It is understood that Azmin will be recovering for at least a week.

Malaysiakini first learned that the PKR deputy president had a back problem on Tuesday when he missed an event in Cyberjaya.

The extent of the injury was unclear at the time.

Teng said there was a silver lining to Azmin's injury, as it would allow the menteri besar some respite from his strenuous schedule.- Mkini