(AFP) The family of Anwar Ibrahim delivered a letter today urging Deputy Premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to allow the jailed Malaysian politician to undergo a spinal operation overseas.

Sankara Nair, Anwar's counsel, said he would file a high court suit in a week "to seek legal redress" if no response was forthcoming.

The letter was delivered by Anwar's eldest daughter Nurul Izzah, son Ihsan and their uncle Rosli Ibrahim to an official at Abdullah's office in Putrajaya, the new administrative capital.

Nair said the letter appealed to Abdullah, who is also Home Affairs minister, to review the refusal by prison authorities of surgery at a specialist spinal clinic in Munich.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has said his decision to refuse his former deputy and heir apparent an overseas operation is final.

Abdullah was away from his office at the time.

Less risky

The Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) has lent support to the long campaign waged by Anwar's family and supporters for him to have surgery in Germany.

Anwar is serving a total of 15 years for abuse of power and sodomy.

Anwar, who has been in custody since September 1998, was last November transferred to a state-run hospital with a slipped disc.

He was moved back to prison on May 10 after he rejected a government offer of spinal surgery at the hospital.

Anwar insists he has a right to a "less risky" endoscopic spinal operation in Munich.