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German doctor to examine Anwar - on certain conditions

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February 11, 2001 

KUALA LUMPUR-- (AP) - The Malaysian government said Saturday that it would allow a German medical specialist to fly in to examine and if necessary perform surgery on jailed politician Anwar Ibrahim, hospitalized with a back problem.

Abdul Razak Kechik, director of the Kuala Lumpur Hospital, said the approval was subject to the ousted deputy prime minister dropping his demands to undergo surgery abroad for a slipped disc that has plagued him for more than three months.

The German expert has to examine Anwar within 14 days from Saturday and the politician must absolve local doctors from any blame arising from the treatment, Abdul Razak was quoted saying by the national news agency Bernama.

He did not give reasons for the conditions, but said the government noted that Anwar asked for a German expert on endoscopic spinal surgery as the least invasive procedure, but one is not available in Malaysia.

Anwar, informed of the conditions on Saturday, said he would consult with his lawyer, and his family was to be informed as soon as possible, Bernama quoted Abdul Razak as saying.

Anwar has been hospitalized since Nov. 24 with a slipped disc which he claims was caused partly by a beating he received during his first night in custody at the hands of then-Police Chief Abdul Rahim Noor.

Once Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's anointed successor, Anwar was sacked from the Cabinet in September 1998 after disputing the longtime leader's economic policies. After two long trials, he is serving prison terms totaling 15 years for corruption and sodomy. He denies any wrongdoing.

Mahathir says he fired his former protege for being an immoral leader, while Anwar claims that his ouster was part of a political conspiracy to stem his ascent to power.

Doctors say Anwar is not responding to therapy for his injury and needs surgery. His lawyers have said he needed treatment at a clinic in Munich which is known for treating such cases with minimal risk.