Top opposition leaders today gathered at the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) office in Kuala Lumpur to press the body to continue exerting pressure on the government to free jailed ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim.

The high-level delegation, which included Parti Keadilan Rakyat (Keadilan) president and Anwar's wife Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Keadilan deputy president Dr Syed Husin Ali, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, and DAP member of Parliament for Seputeh Teresa Kok, said Suhakam should reiterate its support for Anwar's rights despite government apathy thus far.

"I appreciate the statements that Suhakam has made on the matter but I hope it can try to do more. This is a matter that involves my children and my family," Wan Azizah said when handing over a memorandum to commissioners Asiah Abu Samah and KC Vohrah.

"(The independence) of a lot of institutions in the country has been eroded. Suhakam is a body that has the potential to address this."

Referring to a May 2001 Suhakam statement, the opposition leaders said Suhakam should publicly reaffirm its stand that Anwar should be allowed to exercise his right of choice of medical treatment.

"It is regrettable that up till today, Anwar is still denied his right to seek medical treatment of his own choice. He has continued to suffer more than two years after Suhakam made its recommendation. This is a blatant violation of human rights," said the leaders in their memorandum.

The former deputy premier was sacked in 1998 and subsequently found guilty of committing sodomy and corruption. He is currently serving a nine-year jail sentence for sodomy, having completed a six-year term for corruption.

Anwar has maintained that the charges were trumped up by former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his cohorts although this has been denied by the authorities.

Legal limbo

The opposition leaders also expressed dissatisfaction with the lengthy delay over the Court of Appeal decision on Anwar's bail application, five months after the hearing concluded.

Following the conclusion of arguments in July, the court had reserved its judgement for an unspecified date.

"The trial process was from the very beginning riddled with defects. This should have been given serious attention by a body such as Suhakam, especially since Anwar had denied the accusations against him," the memorandum said.

Frustrated with the delay, Anwar's lawyers made fresh applications for the bail application to be reopened. The court has since set Dec 8 for the hearing.

The opposition leaders also complained about the lack of response from Chief Justice Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim despite repeated appeals by Anwar for hearing of the bail application to be expedited. Anwar's letter to the CJ was submitted on Oct 11 and again on Nov 6 this year.

Keadilan leaders have asked for an appointment to meet with Ahmad Fairuz but the CJ's office had not responded to the requests.

Renewed campaigns

At a press conference later, the Barisan Alternatif leaders said they have put renewed vigour into the Anwar campaign in view of the change in leadership.

"We have always campaigned for Anwar's rights to be respected. Now, it is up to the new prime minister (Abdullah Ahmad Badawi) if he wants to change things. If not, it will show that the new administration is as cruel as the old one," said Syed Husin.

He said that, even though Suhakam does not have enforcement powers in this matter, its continued support for Anwar's human rights may eventually have an effect on the government.

Abdul Hadi said he did not want to speculate if the new administration would continue to ignore Anwar's plight, but said the new premier should be given an opportunity to prove his critics wrong.

The appointment of Abdullah as the country's fifth premier from Nov 1 has revived hope among opposition leaders and supporters for Anwar's release.

Last Friday, Keadilan Youth chief Mohd Ezam Mohd Nor and his PAS counterpart Salahuddin Ayub submitted a memorandum to the prime minister, asking him to order a new trial for Anwar as a sign of his commitment to justice and democracy.

The Youth leaders also urged Abdullah to return independence to public institutions such as the judiciary, and to repeal laws which violate constitutional rights.