Anwar hospitalized for back pain

Anwar hospitalized for back pain

KUALA LUMPUR (AFP): Jailed former Malaysian deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim is receiving out-patient hospital treatment for severe back pain, one of his lawyers said on Monday.

"Anwar is suffering from severe back pain with shooting pains to his left foot," Sankara Nair said.

Nair, who makes regular visits to his client at Sungai Buloh prison just north of Kuala Lumpur, said he saw Anwar limping during last week's visit.

Anwar, 53, has already made five visits to an orthopedic surgeon at a government hospital, the latest early Monday. Nair said Anwar's family had expressed concern about his health after he began suffering back pain almost a month ago.

Anwar was sacked on Sept. 2, 1998 by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and arrested 18 days later following mass anti-government rallies.