In reference to your article Will Abdullah let Anwar become paralysed? , I think the question should really be 'Will Anwar let Anwar become paralysed?'

As far as one can make out from reading the available details, Anwar has been having progressive weakness due to spinal compression, and may be getting a bladder and bowel sphincter nerve paralysis as well.

The standard, textbook treatment for this is open surgery to decompress the back. If this is delayed for too long, permanent weakness may ensue.

If Anwar wishes to chose a private hospital in Malaysia to get this done, rather than at a government hospital, because of 'worries', I am sure that he would be accommodated.

But it would be unusual indeed, as others have pointed out, for a prison inmate anywhere in the world to be allowed to have non-standard treatment outside the country where he is incarcerated.

So no matter what the rights or wrongs of Anwar Ibrahim's incarceration, his health is in his own hands. For his sake, I urge him to have his surgery as soon as possible, and that would mean here in Malaysia.