Social movement Aliran slammed the government for denying jailed ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim surgery overseas for his worsening spinal injury in a strongly worded statement released today.

"It is a fundamental right to exercise one's choice of treatment. That preference cannot be denied on any grounds," said Aliran president P Ramakrishnan.

"The fact that Anwar is a prisoner has no bearing on his right of choice just as it was the inalienable right of Datin Seri Endon to seek the medical treatment of her choice anywhere in the world."

Ramakrishnan was referring to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's wife, Endon Mahmood, who have repeatedly sought medical treatment in the United States after being diagnosed with breast cancer.

On Wednesday, Health Minister Dr Chua Soi Lek ruled out allowing Anwar to seek treatment abroad, which doctors said could leave him paralysed.

The minister had argued that the government would not consider the request because such operations are available in Malaysia.

However, Ramakrishnan said if that was the case, then why some Malaysians are seeking treatment overseas.

"Would he (Chua) have dared to give that advice to the prime minister's wife, Endon?" he asked.

Anwar's apprehension understandable

Ramakrishan said that it was understandable for Anwar to be apprehensive in undergoing the dangerous surgery locally.

"How could he feel comfortable with the system that has treated him so cruelly and unjustly? It is a delicate surgery involving a great deal of risk that requires only the best in skill and facility," said Ramakrishnan.

"When in police custody, instead of receiving protection, he was handcuffed and blindfolded and almost beaten to a pulp."

He added that "the officers of the law who knew of this dastardly attack lied through their teeth and denied any knowledge of it."

"When the system had apparently conspired to deny him his protection and grant him his justice, why should he trust that tainted system with his life? How could he in all fairness take that kind of risk in all good conscience?"

Ramakrishnan said that the government must bear the consequence of Anwar's worsening health condition.

"We are aware that, by and large, Anwar has been confined to a wheelchair for the last three years, suffering and enduring excruciating pain that has seen no relief.

"In spite of repeated appeals from family members and lawyers as well as from the international community, the Barisan Nasional government has dismissed these pleas of distress with an air of nonchalance that doesn't speak well of our efforts in creating a caring society."

Anwar was rushed to hospital from prison late Tuesday due to complications from a damaged spinal disc - the result of a 1996 horse-riding accident, which he says was aggravated by a police beating after his arrest two years later.

No compassion

Ramakrishnan blamed Anwar's deteriorating health on an "uncaring and callous" government.

"It is alarming that there seems to be a total absence of compassion for a man who is suffering acutely because the best medical attention sought by him is being deliberately denied him."

He urged prime minister Abdullah to allow Anwar to go Germany for the much needed surgery.

Anwar had requested a back surgery at Clinic Alpha in Munich, whose specialist Dr Thomas Hoogland had conducted over 8,000 similar surgeries. However, the government has instead offered for the operation to be done in Malaysia.

"(Abdullah) cannot refuse this request without appearing to be cruel, uncaring and mean. If in this instance, he does not respond humanely how can he claim that his government has a human
face to it?" asked Ramakrishnan.

Anwar is currently serving a nine-year jail sentence for sodomy and is awaiting a Federal Court decision next Thursday on his final appeal against the conviction.

He has already completed a six-year sentence for corruption.