The International Parliamentary Union (IPU) has expressed regret over the Malaysian Parliament's failure to explain why 'incorrect' information was provided on treatment accorded to jailed ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim in Sungai Buloh prison.

In a report submitted last September, the Parliament told IPU that Anwar was allowed exclusive use of a 'large' air-conditioned gymnasium complete with equipment to carry out prescribed physiotherapy exercises at his own convenience.

It also claimed that Anwar had been taken for routine medical treatment to Hospital Kuala Lumpur Hospital between October 1999 and June 2003.

Following Anwar's rebuttal , the IPU requested clarification from the Parliament but said it has yet to receive an explanation.

The IPU committee on Human Rights of Parliamentarians, which met from Jan 15-18, expressed "regret that the parliamentary authorities have so far provided no clarification as regards the question of incorrect information having been provided by them in September 2003".

The committee said this in its report, a copy of which made available to malaysiakini , and repeated its invitation for the Malaysian authorities to clarify the matter as soon as possible.

Anwar had told the IPU that he had been taken to hospital only twice - on Dec 19, 2002 for treatment of pneumonia and on another date to meet his (assigned) doctor Dr S Jeyaindran, who allegedly persuaded him to accept a titanium disc replacement.

He has also sent a letter of protest to the Parliament, Prisons Department and the Health Ministry, demanding an explanation and urging the authorities to trace the "culprit" responsible for the misleading statements.

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Mohd Zahir Ismail had promised to investigate when the matter was raised last December by opposition parliamentarians led by Anwar's wife and Keadilan president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

Medical treatment

In its report, the IPU committee further expressed concern over Anwar's worsening state of health and urged the judiciary to grant him bail so that he can seek medical treatment of his choice.

Anwar has been suffering from a slipped disc for several years. He claimed that his condition had been aggravated by assault while in police custody in September 1998.

His requests to go to Germany for endoscopic surgery have been rejected by the government, which has instead offered facilities for the operation to be carried out locally by the expert of his choice. Anwar has declined the offer.

Commenting on the stalemate, the IPU committee said: "We firmly believe that Parliament, as a guardian of human rights, should not hesitate to support the recommendations of the country's Human Rights Commission (to allow Anwar to seek medical treatment of his choice) and make every effort to relay them favourably to the competent authorities."

'No feedback'

Contacted today, Wan Azizah said she has not received any feedback from parliamentary authorities on the outcome of any investigation.

"(The Speaker) had assured us that Parliament would investigate the matter thoroughly and I believe that he will fulfill the promise. We hope this will done as soon as possible because we submitted our protest more than a month ago," she said.

Touching on additional issues, the IPU committee said it was disturbed that Anwar's notice of alibi - one of his main defences against the sodomy charges - has not been considered by Court of Appeal, It said the action has infringed Anwar's right to defend himself.

"We trust that the Appeal Court will review its earlier decision in the sodomy case in full respect of the rights of the defence, as is its duty," its report said.

"Likewise (the committee) trusts that the Federal Court will rule on Anwar's petitions with total independence and impartiality and in a manner fully respectful of the rights of the defence."

The committee also pledged to submit its report to the IPU secretary-general, so that its concern can be conveyed officially to the Malaysian government.

Anwar is currently serving a nine-year jail term for a sodomy offence and has since appealed to the Federal Court to overturn the conviction and sentence.

His repeated attempts in seeking bail and stays of execution have failed . He is currently awaiting a Federal Court hearing on his latest bail application, the main basis of which is his poor health.