Polyp found on Anwar’s kidney

Anwar Ibrahim is due for a histopathology screening to determine if the polyp is benign or cancerous.

KUALA LUMPUR: A small growth has been detected in PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim’s kidney, his daughter Nurul Nuha Anwar revealed tonight.

Speaking at a forum at the KL Chinese Assembly Hall, the said her father underwent a minor procedure this morning at Kuala Lumpur General Hospital, where a small polyp in his kidney was detected.

“Hopefully, it is not cancerous as it is very small,” she said, adding that a histopathology would be carried out soon to determine the true nature of the polyp.

According to her, Anwar had been experiencing irregular blood pressure and black stools for some weeks now.

She also said that while his deteriorating health condition was brought to the attention of the prison doctor, Anwar still had to wait for clearance from Home Minister Zahid Hamidi before proper medical treatment could be sought at the hospital.

She also said her family had written numerous times to the doctor and prison authorities but ended up waiting three weeks before the Home Ministry gave Anwar clearance to go to hospital.

Anwar underwent an MRI scan and had an X-ray taken for a bad shoulder on Tuesday and is due back in prison tomorrow, Nurul Nuha said, adding that biopsy results will only be out next week.

Speaking on behalf of her family, she pleaded with the Home Minister to refrain from denying her father medical attention in the future and to put politics aside in view of her father’s fragile health at this moment.

The former Opposition Leader is currently serving a five-year prison sentence for sodomy.