The Foreign Ministry yesterday countered a report by the UN working group on arbitrary detention (WGAD) that called for the release of former opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, calling it "baseless".

"The issue of political conspiracy had been scrutinised extensively by the Federal Court, which held that the defence of political conspiracy remained a mere denial and did not amount to a credible defence," it said in a statement.

This is the government’s second statement on the matter after initially issuing a brief comment on Nov 2 denying that Anwar's incarceration was political and urged the UN group to respect the Malaysian legal process.

The statement today reiterated that Malaysian authorities did not target Anwar explaining it was the victim Mohd Saiful Bukhari who had accused Anwar of sodomy and the former opposition had been given a fair trial.

"Based on the facts and legal basis as expounded in detail to the WGAD, it is unequivocally clear the WGAD’s opinion that the current sodomy charges against DSAI were politically motivated is unfounded.

"The opinion by the WGAD, calling for the immediate release of Anwar is without basis," it said.

‘Better treated than others’

The Foreign Ministry said this was conveyed to the WGAD in a message on Nov 16.

It also noted that the WGAD had raised issues pertaining to Anwar's treatment in jail and his medical condition.

"The government maintains that the chronic back pain and spinal injury suffered by Anwar is not life threatening medical conditions which warrant treatment overseas, undoubtedly can be treated by local medical experts.

"Further, the assessment of the panel of consultants concluded that the injury to Anwar's right shoulder (muscle tear) was sustained three years ago, prior to him being convicted and sentenced to prison on Feb 10, 2015," it said.

The Foreign Ministry added that Anwar was being treated better than ordinary prisoners.

"Anwar had been provided with certain additional facilities which are not ordinarily afforded to other prisoners.

"These include an appropriate hospital bed, a suitable chair and table, hot and cold shower facilities, a wall fan and a sitting toilet. Anwar also received special dietary and food supplements.

"Anwar has been given the privilege to occupy a specially renovated cell in the prison’s hospital complex in contrast to other prisoners who are placed in sharing cells. He was definitely not placed in solitary confinement.

"Anwar also continued to enjoy all his rights such as visitation rights and access to his lawyers," it said.

All these, it said, was in complaint with the country's prison laws and on recommendation of medical experts.

The jailed opposition leader was initially found not guilty of the charge but the decision was overturned on appeal, and upheld at the Federal Court.

He is presently seeking a review of the decision and his five-year prison sentence in a review at the Federal Court on the grounds of political conspiracy.