H-Net* Opposition urges inquiry into treatment of ex-Malaysian deputy PM

[Concorde]

Opposition urges inquiry into treatment of ex-Malaysian deputy PM KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 29 (AFP) - A Malaysian opposition leader called Wednesday for an independent inquiry into the health former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim and his treatment in prison amid a further delay in his trial. Lim Kit Siang, secretary-general of the Democratic Action Party, said an inquiry had become more urgent after Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad criticised Anwar's claims that he was suffering from arsenic poisoning. Anwar appeared in court Monday for the first time in over two weeks after being hospitalized following alleged attempts to poison him with arsenic. His sodomy trial was adjourned again Tuesday after doctors said he was suffering from "tension headaches." The further postponement "has again raised public concerns about Anwar's health and his prison conditions," Lim said in a statement. He criticised Mahathir for disregarding advice by Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, that everyone should withhold comment on the alleged poisoning until the result of an official investigation is known. Mahathir told the Asian Wall Street Journal in remarks published Wednesday that the poisoning claim was "really a ridiculous accusation ... he (Anwar) had this very minute amount of arsenic in his urine which is compatible with the ingestion of some seafood." Lim said Mahathir's decision to disregard Abdullah's advice "is the strongest reason why there should be a royal commission of inquiry into Anwar's arsenic poisoning." He added: "Malaysians do not expect medical examination and police investigation would be allowed to produce a result which is openly against Mahathir's public stand on the issue." Tests to detect arsenic in specimens of Anwar's hair and fingernails were expected to be concluded next week. Anwar, Mahathir's former heir apparent, was sacked as deputy premier and finance minister in early September 1998 and arrested September 20. He was jailed for six years in April for corruption and is now on trial on a sodomy charge.