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.