Aliran's call that jailed Anwar Ibrahim be allowed bail is a fair call and perhaps we should rally support for this.

The failure of the system to expedite his trial and flimsy excuses by his persecutors-prosecutors is abhorrent especially when Anwar's health is failing. As a prisoner of the state he has every right to protest through fasting as this is in most cases, the only way for those imprisoned to show protest.

The state of affairs point out to an inhumane treatment of prisoners in our country and I think it cannot be defended on any religious or secular humanist principle.

I think it is fair to say that we cannot expect the ministry of social services for instance to come to Anwar's aid as the ministry is not a body independent of the Barisan government's misguided political fervour.

We, the rakyat (public) would have to make renewed attempts to bring attention to the violation of Anwar's basic right to medical attention and a fair trial, including bail. This humanitarian appeal should cut across all borders among us.