Former opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has accused Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi of scuttling some 16 criminal and civil cases he is involved in by denying him legal access while in prison.

In a statement released through his party, the jailed PKR de facto leader said the move prevented him from discussing with his lawyers and giving them instructions on these legal cases.

"I regret the decision by Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (who is also home minister) who block my lawyers from meeting me to discuss my court cases.

"This is a violation of my rights to get legal advice and an obstruction of my lawyers in carrying out their duties," he said.

For example, Anwar said his lawyers, N Surendran and Ambiga Sreenevasan, were today not allowed to meet with him even though they need instructions from him on how to proceed on two court cases slated for Sept 15 and Oct 5 respectively.

"Prior to that, my lawyers were prevented from meeting me even though there was an urgent affidavit to be signed," he said.

Anwar urged the government to respect the law and the court process by allowing his lawyers to conduct their duties without obstruction.

Anwar was jailed in Sungai Buloh Prison for the second time for five years beginning February on grounds of sodomy, a charge he claimed was politically motivated.

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