A group of 107 high-profile individuals today sent an appeal to Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, urging the government "to show mercy" with regard to the medical condition of jailed former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim.

"We humbly appeal to the government's goodwill to display compassion towards a citizen who had previously contributed his services to the country. We humbly appeal that Anwar be given the possibility of being afforded the medical treatment of his choice," stated the appeal.

Among those present at the press conference in Kuala Lumpur to announce the appeal in a caf at were National Artist Laureate Syed Ahmad Jamal, educationist FR Bhupalan, internationally-renowed artist Redza Piyadasa and Anwar's former teacher DJ Muzaffar Tate.

The other signatories comprised medical specialists, senior lawyers, artists, academicians, film-makers, writers, actors and professionals from various fields.

They included Pahang state assembly representative Fauzi Abdul Rahman ( recently in the limelight for his allegation that former Pahang Mentri Besar Khalil Yaakob had misappropriated state resources), lawyer Zain Azahari Zainal Abidin, national literature laureates Usman Awang and Muhammad Haji Salleh, thespian Krishen Jit, cardiologist Dr Nik Zainal Abidin Nik Abdul Rahman, obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Micheal Fong, Malaysian Society for Comparative Literature (Kemala) president Ahmad Kamal Abdullah and novelist KS Maniam.

Right step

The appeal requested that should Anwar be allowed to have overseas treatment. The group said it believes Anwar will be "tightly guarded" by the prison guards and accompanying Malaysian diplomats who will return him to Malaysia after his recovery.

"This is the right step and a suitable guarantee. It is our understanding that a prisoner should not be precluded from the specialist treatment of his choice," said the appeal.

The appeal's co-ordinator, Raja Ahmad Aminullah Raja Abdullah, said all who signed did so out of humanitarian concern.

"I am no specialist. We are ordinary citizens who would like to see mercy for some of us who have contributed to the society in one way or other.

"We would like to believe there is optimism and hope. We hope to strike a chord somewhere," said Raja Ahmad.

Slipped disc

On Friday, Health Minister Chua Jui Meng briefed foreign diplomats that Anwar will have to return to prison if he refuses to have his back surgery at a local hospital.

Anwar, who is serving a 15-year jail term for abuse of power and sodomy but considers himself a political prisoner, has been in Kuala Lumpur Hospital (KLH) since Nov 25 with acute back pain due to a slipped disc.

Dutch specialist Dr Thomas Hoogland, who examined Anwar at his family's request on March 11, said in a report the politician needed endoscopic spinal surgery within four to six weeks, which would be best performed in Munich, Germany.

But the government claimed Anwar is politicising his condition, and has insisted that the surgery be done locally.