Anwar may need back surgery

Anwar may need back surgery

KUALA LUMPUR (AP): Jailed politician Anwar Ibrahim may need surgery for a slipped disc and that could delay legal appeals against his corruption conviction and sentence, one of his lawyers said on Friday.

"His condition is still bad. He is seriously considering doctors' advice to undergo surgery," said Sankara Nair, a lawyer who was part of a team that defended the ousted deputy prime minister in his protracted sodomy trial.

Ezam Mohamed Noor, an Anwar ally and a leader of his National Justice Party, said the 54-year-old politician was in great pain and even faced the risk of being paralyzed if not given proper medical care.

"He cannot stand or even sit for longer than five minutes. His health is worsening by the day," Ezam told reporters. Ezam said his supporters wanted Anwar to seek medical treatment overseas.