The Prisons Department today assured the public that Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim is not getting special treatment at the Sungai Buloh prison.

The assurance comes as Anwar’s lawyers Latheefa Koya and N Suredran say that denial of “very minimum” amenities like a bed will aggravate his bad back and cause long-term damage.

Anwar is kept in a cell with a two-inch foam mattress on the floor, a bucket for bathing and a squat toilet, they said.

"At the very minimum, in line with his medical condition, he must be given a bed and a medically appropriate mattress, a chair and table, a shower and appropriate toilet.

"Anwar cannot bend over or stand up from sitting on the floor without pain and aggravation of his condition," they said in a statement.

The lawyers said they are bringing Anwar's medical needs to the attention of the authorities but are not seeking special treatment.

They added that the authorities know his health conditions and requirement, and should treat him like a prisoner of conscience.

However, the Prisons Department said Anwar will be treated just like any other prisoner, in accordance with the law.

This includes having no Internet access, it said, pointing out that Anwar’s Facebook and Twitter accounts are updated by someone else and not by Anwar from behind bars.

"There are no Internet facilities for Anwar Ibrahim in jail. Anyone can operate his Facebook or Twitter from outside," the prison department said in a Twitter posting.

Same food and visitation rights

In a statement later, Prisons Department Deputy Director Supri Hashim said Anwar also does not get special visitation rights.

Prisoner is allowed to meet his or her family once in the first four weeks of his or her internment, he said and Anwar's family met him on the third day.

Likewise, Anwar eats the same food as everyone and as with any other prisoner, dietary requirements due to health reasons will be adhered to.

Critics had earlier questioned why Anwar was able to update his social media accounts while he is jailed.

The Federal Court on Feb 10 upheld that Anwar is guilty of sodomising his aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan in 2008.