About 700 reformasi supporters gathered outside the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) headquarters in Kuala Lumpur today as opposition leaders handed a memorandum demanding that jailed ex-deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim be allowed to undergo a spinal surgery overseas.

Suhakam commissioners Harun Hashim and Mehrun Siraj received the memorandum from the delegation which was led by opposition leader and PAS president, Fadzil Md Noor.

The memorandum cited the medical and legal basis of Anwar's right to the treatment of his choice. Also attached were photographs showing him in pain when being carried from an ambulance to his house to attend his mother's funeral in early April.

They were joined by representatives from student bodies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and representatives of a group of visually-impaired people.

'High hopes'

Fadzil when met by reporters, conveyed his sadness that Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad was "adamant that Anwar be operated on locally" and expressed his hope that "Suhakam would appeal and influence the government".

This morning, Fadzil and two other opposition leaders met Mahathir at Putrajaya to discuss Anwar's treatment. "I had high hopes about the meeting but it is sad the PM refuses to budge from his decision," he said.

Commissioner Harun, when approached by reporters, declined to elaborate on the matter but promised the issue would be studied from all aspects.

"I can only say that we will be making our own recommendations. We have met Anwar and we have to look at all sides. We have also been briefed by doctors on his medical condition," said Harun.

On Tuesday, a Suhakam team met the former deputy prime minister, who is serving a 15-year jail term for corruption and sodomy, at the Sungai Buloh Prison in Selangor.

During the meeting Anwar had reiterated his wish to undergo surgery abroad. His choice of treatment had become a topic of debate when the government refused to allow him to undergo the surgery in Munich, Germany.

The government said it had no qualms about a foreign specialist performing the surgery provided that it was done locally. Anwar refused this and accused the government of violating his right to the treatment of his choice.

Internet petition

Two other similar memorandums were also submitted to Suhakam at the same time, one by 12 student bodies from local universities and another from the visually-impaired group.

Keadilan supreme council member Irene Fernandez handed over hundreds of postcards signed by the public and a representative of the 'Free Anwar Campaign' group handed a 15,000-strong Internet petition supporting Anwar's right to treatment of his choice.

The crowd who had gathered outside the Suhakam office in Menara Tun Razak later listened to speeches from Anwar's daughter Nurul Izzah and student representative Khairul Anuar.

Fadzil also briefed the crowd on what Harun had said and related details of his meeting with the prime minister earlier today. "If Mahathir is still stubborn, he will see the wrath of the people," he told the crowd.