Doctor supports surgery abroad for Anwar

German expert Thomas Hoogland and Anwar's wife Wan Azizah Wan Ismail press for Anwar's surgery abroad

In this story: International 'meddling' Fight from jail RELATED STORIES

By CNN's Rufi Vigilar

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia -- A Malaysian doctor confirmed that jailed former Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim needs surgery abroad, refuting the government's statement that a local operation is secure.

Anwar's wife Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said Saturday that Dr. Halili Rahmad's second opinion supported the recommendation of German specialist Thomas Hoogland on Anwar's back injury.

Anwar, convicted to a 15-year jail term on charges of corruption and sodomy, suffered the injury while in prison.

Malaysia's chief of police Rahim Noor had earlier admitted that Anwar was beat up in jail and had offered an apology, Wan Azizah added.

Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamed accused Anwar of using his injury for political gain.

Mahathir sacked his former deputy in 1998, accusing him of conspiracy to gain power.

International 'meddling'

Wan Azizah said more pressure on the government is needed, if Anwar is to be allowed to leave for surgery in Munich, Germany where Hoogland's clinic is based.

She expressed worry that Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar recently accused international embassies of "meddling in internal affairs."

The Malaysian government has asked the embassies to explain the presence of representatives who attended a briefing she held in late March to press for Anwar's back surgery abroad.

The Parti Keadilan Nasional (National Justice Party), which Wan Azizah formed, has released a statement demanding that Anwar be allowed to choose his doctor and where to undergo medical treatment.

"Non-government bodies have also been showing support," said Wan Azizah, who declined to name the groups.

"The government may find out our plans," she explained.

Fight from jail

Anwar, who is awaiting surgery on a bad back, contests both his convictions and has yet to exhaust appeals options.

The opposition Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS) leader Fadzil Noor said that Anwar would be fighting his cause from jail.

"We are still confident that if the legal and judicial system operates as it should then Anwar's future will still be bright."

Fadzil said opposition hopes lay with Chief Justice Mohamed Dzaiddin Abdullah, who had remarked about restoring public faith in the judiciary after his appointment in December.

"The new chief justice has made it very clear he wants to ensure that the judicial system will be fair," he said.

Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamed and his then deputy made a sparkling pair in the 1990's.

Mahathir preened national pride while Anwar courted Muslim Malays with his strong religious credentials.

Their bitter split over policy as Asia's financial crisis raged in 1997 left Malays unsure about whom to turn to.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Malaysia's Anwar to decide on treatment
April 6, March
Malysians cheer Anwar home visit
April 7, 2001

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