Former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim does not have the 'luxuries' which were alleged to include a television set, a refrigerator and a personal cook at the Kuala Lumpur General Hospital as reported by Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) on Saturday.

His wife, Wan Azizah Wan Ismail told malaysiakini today that Anwar does not have a television set or a refrigerator in his ward. She termed the government television's report as "baseless" and "false."

"The TV and refrigerator are serving the other patients, not him. Anwar is not even allowed to leave his ward or mingle with other patients as well," she said.

Wan Azizah also denied any knowledge of a personal cook and added to date no home-cooked food for him is permitted either. Reading material can only be passed to Anwar via his lawyers and requires prior approval from prison authorities.

According to her, even for family visits an application for a permit has to be submitted and this permit can be canceled at any time. Anwar has been warded at the hospital since November last year due to severe spinal problems.

Safest option

Meanwhile, Jamaah Islah Malaysia (JIM) president Dr. Mohamed Hatta Shaharom urged the government to allow Anwar and his family to choose their preferred method and place of treatment.

In a press statement issued today , he said the aggravated central-disc herniation associated with spinal stenosis is difficult to operate using conventional methods.

"A conventional operation bears a very high risk of post-operation complications," he said.

Mohamed Hatta said German orthopedic surgeon Dr. Thomas Hoogland had pointed out recently that the endoscopic procedure would be the safest option and the operation cannot be delayed.