Prison authorities today refuted jailed former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim's claims they have failed to provide him with proper health treatment and facilities.

The once heir-apparent to Prime Minister Dr Mahatir Mohamad last week protested his exposed cell conditions, which he said caused him to contract pneumonia and asthma.

"The treatment and facilities are provided in accordance with current needs and the schedule set by the prison," prison spokeswoman Kaysalya Devi Sathoo, was quoted as saying by Bernama news agency.

"The allegations made are not true, and we have always ensured that all prisoners, including Anwar, who have health problems are given the necessary treatment."

Anwar receives specialty treatment at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital twice a week and weekly examinations by medical officers of the Sungai Buloh Hospital, she added, and was provided a room with a special bed for his back problem, hot water shower and a Western-style toilet seat.

Additional food

Lawyer Sankara Nair said that Anwar blamed the government for "not taking adequate precautions with respect to his condition" in Sungai Buloh prison outside the capital Kuala Lumpur and urged improvements in the cell.

Anwar, who suffers from a slipped disc allegedly incurred while in detention, receives treatment from other hospitals for dental, eye and orthopaedic care, and physiotherapy.

Kaysalya also noted Anwar was given additional food with the permission of medical officers, which was in with prison regulations that allow prisoner menus to be supplemented on health grounds.

Anwar was meted a 15-year jail sentence on charges of abuse of power and sodomy. Anwar maintains he was framed to avert a political challenge to 77-year-old Mahathir, an allegation denied by the government. AFP