Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, when winding up the debate on the Royal Address by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong at the Dewan Rakyat sitting today, said 152 meetings for health treatment had been held at the Sg Buloh Prison and nine treatment sessions had been held at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital.
Anwar was also allowed to have meetings with his family on 19 occasions at the prison and 13 times at the hospital, 18 meetings with lawyers and 33 meetings with psychological experts.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also the home minister, said the former deputy prime minister had also met his lawyers on 85 occasions outside the court, attended court proceedings on 24 occasions, contacted the family by telephone 38 times, used the prison library 52 times and used Section 31 of the Prison Act on five occasions, including for the burial of his father in April last year and meeting the Bar Council’s Disciplinary Committee last June.
“Although he is not given any privilege, the measures carried out by the Prison Department are those contained in the Prison Act.”
Ahmad Zahid said, in addition, Anwar was also provided with several necessities recommended by the medical experts such as a “high-end hospital bed”, chair and desk, warm and cold bath facilities, sitting toilet and wall fan.
Meanwhile, the food provided were cereals, low-fat milk, raisins, dates, honey and protein drinks, he said.
“This should be perceived as adhering to the regulations and, at the same time, interpreted as a strong humanitarian consideration by the prison authorities,” Ahmad Zahid said.
He also said that although Anwar, as a prisoner, was not allowed to undergo medical treatment abroad, he was allowed to choose and bring in his choice medical team from George Washington University and medical equipment into the country to undergo treatment at a government hospital selected.
He said United States President Barack Obama, when attending the 27th Asean Summit Meeting here in November last year, had also raised the issue on Anwar’s health treatment with Prime Minister Najib Razak.
“The Prime Minister had explained the government’s stand and offer to Anwar, and President Obama had thanked the Prime Minister for the decision made by the Malaysian government.”
Anwar was sentenced to five years’ jail for sodomising his former aide, Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan.
– BERNAMA