The government has reiterated its stand not to allow jailed ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim to go abroad for surgery for his slipped disc, even as his health took a turn for the worse today.

At a press conference in Parliament this afternoon, Health Minister Dr Chua Soi Lek said the onus was on Anwar as he is fully aware of his health condition and the consequences of not undergoing surgery.

Anwar has asked several times to be allowed to undergo endoscopic surgery in Germany.

"He is aware that if the operation is not done, then his bladder function would be affected. He will continue to experience pain and backache and his sexual function may also be affected. The lower limbs may also be affected if the spinal stenosis gets worse," Chua noted.

"We are not considering allowing him to go overseas because all (forms of) treatment required are available here, and it is not a complication operation."

'No evidence'

On Saturday, results of a MRI scan revealed that Anwar has spinal stenosis. This is a narrowing of spaces in the spine (backbone) that results in pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots.

This is believed to have worsened his condition and affected his kidney and neurological functions.

Anwar sustained the initial injury during a horse riding accident in 1996 and later claimed that it was aggravated after he was beaten by then police chief Abdul Rahim Mohd Noor while in custody in September 1998.

However, Chua today said that no evidence of kidney damage or leg or body swelling has been found, as reported in the press.

"His kidney function is still normal, the rest is also normal... his only problem is difficulty in passing urine," Chua said.

He noted that the risk arising from surgery is minimal and has a 99 percent success rate. The procedure would take 60 to 90 minutes or if, there are complications, up to three hours.

"He can go for the operation (locally) anytime. If he gives his consent today, he can do it today," the minister said.

To a question, he said the government would consider Anwar's request to bring in foreign doctors should the latter submit an application, "but he has not".

The minister also said that he has not met Anwar or his wife to date over the matter.

'Stand unchanged'

Anwar's lawyer Sankara Nair had earlier told journalists after visiting him at the Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL) that the jailed politician has not changed his mind about seeking surgery overseas.

"Anwar does not want the conventional surgery. Our stand remains the same, he is entitled to surgery of his choice and treatment abroad," he said after meeting Anwar for about an hour.

Anwar was rushed to the hospital from the Sungai Buloh prison at about 11.30pm yesterday after his health deteriorated.

"He is still suffering from back pain and he looked weak when I met him," said Nair.

Elaborating, he said the doctors had not expected spinal stenosis to develop so soon.

"I can say his condition is quite serious and that he needs to get immediate attention for the spinal stenosis," he said, adding that Anwar's left leg is now weaker than the right one.

Anwar's wife and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail had earlier visited him. She also held a meeting with a five-member panel headed by the Health Ministry's deputy director-general Dr Ismail Merican to discuss the situation.

According to Nair, the panel has suggested that Anwar should have immediate surgery for his slipped disc, and that he should undergo a liver check.

The lawyer also criticised the hospital for not releasing Anwar's medical records , saying that the family needs these to obtain a second opinion.

"I sent a written request for the medical records about a month ago, but the hospital said my letter has yet to reach them. This is alarming... the hospital has to be transparent," he said.

He added that the hospital should grant free access to Anwar's immediate and extended family members given his current health condition.

Anwar's eldest daughter Nurul Izzah, when contacted this afternoon, declined to comment on the government's stand until after she visits her father this evening.

The Free Anwar Movement held a gathering outside HKL this evening to brief supporters on his condition. PKR Youth chief Mohd Ezam Mohd Nor spoke at the event.

Anwar's recent bout of poor health came to light when he was examined by an urologist at the hospital on Tuesday after complaining of discomfort when easing himself.

He is currently serving a nine-year jail sentence for sodomy while awaiting a decision on his appeal against his second conviction. He has already completed a six-year sentence for corruption.