Jailed ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim is disappointed with the Sungai Buloh prison director for sidestepping his application to have his slipped disc examined by another medical specialist, said his lawyer Sankara Nair today.

In a letter dated Nov 14, the prison director Hassan Sakimon told Anwar to forward his application to the government appointed specialist who has been treating him.

He said Kuala Lumpur Hospital's Dr Jeyaindran would be the best person to decide on the matter.

"We are really disappointed with the prison's attitude on this matter. Not only did they take almost three months to reply but they simply want to wash their hands off from making a decision," said Sankara.

According to him, it is untenable to obtain Jeyaindran's permission since Anwar continues to languish under his care.

"We feel that by referring us to Dr Jeyaindran, the prisons director had abdicated his duty as the authority who has control and custody of my client," he added.

Sankara said he has sent a letter to the Prisons Department yesterday expressing their dissatisfaction over the matter and urging them to reconsider the matter.

'Renewed pain'

Anwar has been suffering from "renewed severe back pain" since early August and he claims that the current treatment is ineffective.

Following this, he requested that the Prisons Department allow him to be examined by another medical team headed by Dr Halilli Rahmat.

The ex-deputy premier suffered a slip disc as a result of a horse riding accident several years ago. He claims that his condition worsened after being assaulted by former inspector-general of police Rahim Noor.

He was previously warded in HKL for more than eight months since November 2000. He has also requested in vain to undergo a specific endoscopic surgery in Germany, which is not available elsewhere.

In May 2001, Health Minister Chua Jui Meng said the ex-deputy premier is receiving the "most unprecedented treatment for a slipped disc in the entire history of medical services in this country."

Anwar is currently serving a nine-year jail sentence for a sodomy conviction, which he is appealing against.

He is also awaiting a Court of Appeal decision on his bail application, which cites his health as one of the main reasons.

Anwar, who was also convicted of corruption, claims that the charges were trumped up but the authorities have denied this.