Jailed ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim claims the delay and hurdles he encountered in getting medical treatment for his slipped disc depicted the 'contemptuous attitude' of the current political administration.

He was also puzzled by the efforts made by certain quarters to ensure that he remained in prison despite his worsening condition.

He said the fact that it took the authorities one month, following intense outside pressure, before allowing him to seek medical examination at Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL) proved that something was amiss.

"The attitude of the political administration is so merciless and malicious to deny me of my rights and (it) went out of its way to worsen my condition," he told malaysiakini and the PAS organ Harakah.

Anwar also alleged that there were certain quarters within the government who questioned the authenticity of his pain and health condition.

"( I have also received) information from government leaders and sympathisers within Umno that they (Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's administration) believed that there were deliberate attempts to politicise my health condition.

"It is most unfortunate that a government that speaks about truth, justice and equality is blinded by resentment against me. Why don't they just ask for my medical report from the orthopaedic and neurology specialist which can reveal the truth," he said.

Assault by IGP

Anwar who is serving a nine-year jail sentence for sodomy, repeatedly claimed that his government-appointed physician had ignored his complaints of pain for more than a month. It was only on Jan 5, that he was sent for further examination.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)) and Computed Tomography (CT) scans revealed that he sustained two new back injuries: friction of a facet joint and a prolapse of another disc. He was ordered to undergo regular physiotherapy until his condition improves.

Anwar suffered from a slipped disc following a horse riding accident several years ago. In 1998, he was sacked and subsequently jailed on charges of corruption and sodomy, which he has denied.

He claimed that the injury worsened when he was assaulted by then inspector-general of police Abdul Rahim Mohd Noor, who has since served time for the offence.

Although the government offered Anwar to undergo surgery locally, he has insisted on an endoscopic surgery available only in Germany.

Bail issue

Meanwhile, the jailed politician claimed that the 'contemptuous attitude' could also been seen in the manner the court was handling his appeal to set aside his sodomy conviction and his bail application which was made more than six months ago

He claimed that it was clear that the judiciary was being influenced by the executive, adding that although the leadership has changed but the 'abuse' of the judicial institution continues.

"It is been almost three months I am in jail under the administration of Abdullah. I don't believe that he knows nothing of the court system or how my charges were amended and that (my) lawyers were punished plus the latest incident: the loss of the alibi notice submitted to the Court of Appeal.

"If he was not involved in the conspiracy against me, then why is he allowing the inhumane treatment against me to continue? Is it fair that I continue to be incarcerated just so that he can strengthen his political power? " added Anwar.

He stressed that he demands nothing from the current administration other than fairness and a free and independent court to decide on his cases.

"No one should repeat Dr Mahathir Mohamad's lie that an independent judiciary exists in Malaysia," he said, adding that while Abdullah continues to make welcoming statements, he has yet to take any action.