Anwar's health worsens in Malaysia jail: Lawyer

Anwar's health worsens in Malaysia jail: Lawyer

Reuters, Kuala Lumpur

The health of Malaysia's jailed rebel politician, Anwar Ibrahim, has worsened and he could suffer some paralysis unless he is allowed to travel to Germany for back surgery, his family lawyer said on Tuesday.

The former deputy premier, whose arrest on charges of sodomy and abuse of power in 1998 sparked violent street protests, wants to undergo non-invasive surgery that his lawyer, Sankara Nair, says can't be done in Malaysia.

"His condition has deteriorated," Nair said, adding that tests at the weekend showed a further narrowing of his spinal canal, nerve damage and some related swelling of his kidney.

The government has said he can be treated in Malaysia so does not need to go abroad, but Anwar says the surgery available in Germany is less invasive and has a greater chance of success.

Anwar now needs a wheelchair at times to move around prison, Sankara said, adding Anwar's family wanted to appeal directly to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to allow him to travel to Munich for the operation at his own expense.

Anwar's sacking and imprisonment six years ago followed a falling out with then prime minister Mahathir Mohamad that brought a wave of protest and loss of support for the ruling Malay party.

But backing for the former rising political star has waned since, although Abdullah's ascension to the premiership last October and his sweeping election victory in March on an anti- corruption agenda prompted some speculation that Anwar might be released early.

Anwar is awaiting a decision on his appeal against a sodomy conviction for which he is serving nine years in prison.

Lim Kit Siang, leader of the opposition Democratic Action Party, dropped plans on Tuesday to debate a parliamentary motion on Anwar's health and said he would support any move by Anwar's wife, Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, to appeal to the prime minister.