AN octogenarian’s joy of being reunited with a son he had not seen for five years has been cut short by the latter’s death.

Ng Sa Kak, 81, was left broken hearted by Teik Keat’s sudden death, some seven months after their reunion.

Teik Keat, 61, died at the Penang Hospital due to intra-abdominal sepsis on Saturday.

Sa Kak’s grandson’s wife, Eicia Kang, said the elder Ng was crying uncontrollably after learning about Teik Keat’s death.

“He has also lost his appetite and refused to drink or eat anything,” Kang said.

Seeking answers: Lim trying to contact the Penang Hospital authorities to ask why it had failed to inform Teik Keat's (inset) family of his death. With him is Kang.

The deceased’s brother, Teik Huat, 45, said the family could not accept Teik Keat’s sudden death within 24 hours after being warded at the hospital.

“At 2am on Friday, my brother was admitted to the Balik Pulau Hospital due to severe constipation. He was released a few hours later after taking medication prescribed by the doctors.

“Unfortunately, he suffered from chronic pain and was readmitted to the hospital at about 10am on the same day,” he said at the Penang MCA Public Services and Complaints Bureau in Pahang Road on Monday.

Teik Huat said his brother was later referred to the Penang Hospital as he was reportedly suffering from intestinal infection.

“My brother passed away on Saturday at around 2am but we are upset as the hospital did not notify us of his death.

“The family only found out about it later during our visit at about 9am,” he said.

Teik Huat said the family intended to file a complaint demanding an explanation on the matter.

“We also want to understand why my brother’s severe constipation could lead to death,” he said.

He added that this was the reason they had sought the help of the bureau’s deputy chief Lim Thoon Deong.

Lim, who is also Penang Hospital’s Board of Visitors chairman, said he would seek an explanation from hospital director Dr Yasmin Sulaiman on why Teik Keat’s family was not informed of his death.

Sa Kak was reunited with Teik Keat last November after the former sought the help of the bureau to highlight his search for his son who had not returned to their Balik Pulau home for five years.

-The Star-