Anwar's family to seek court redress on prison visits

PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim's family will consider filing an application in court on his visitation rights in Sungai Buloh prison.

His daughter and Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar pointed out that the former deputy prime minister is a political prisoner as recognised by the United Nations, Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International.

"As family members, we are only allowed once in three weeks, visit for 45 minutes, and this is through a glass pane," she said.

Nurul Izzah who is also PKR vice-president said Anwar had to represent himself today in his suit against S Nallakaruppan because his lawyers were denied access.

This development follows statement by Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in Parliament yesterday that Anwar enjoyed special perks which are not extended to other inmates.

“(He was) supplied with food recommended by experts like cereal, low fat milk, dates, honey and drinks,” Zahid had said while winding up debates on the royal address.

The deputy prime minister said that as at March 13, Anwar has had 360 visits and received 152 health checks and treatment in the Sungai Buloh prison.

However, Anwar today disputed that he had 360 visits in prison.

Speaking through one of his former lawyers, Latheefa Koya, he said "it is illogical".

"My family members are allowed to meet me once in three weeks, while lawyers visited me once a week," he said.

These are mere lies, Anwar added.

Billboards under local council jurisdiction

In a separate development, Otai Reformis leader and Hulu Kelang assemblyperson Saari Sungib said the billboards campaigning for the release of jailed Anwar are under the jurisdiction of local councils, not the police.

He said the police had violated the administration of Selangor government.

“Hence, we will handover a memorandum to all councillors in 12 local councils to apply for an injunction against the order by inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar to bring down the banner," Saari said.

He also urged the local councils to lodge police reports against Khalid.

Meanwhile, Ampang MP Zuraida Kamaruddin also questioned the IGP's actions.

She said she conducted a check on the Ampang billboard and found that it was on Menteri Besar Inc land, thus should be under the state jurisdiction.

“Hence, the IGP should not meddle on state affairs,” Zuraida said, adding that there exist other billboards which tell lies to the public.

Zuraida pointed to billboards on the goods and services tax (GST), claiming prices of goods had not gone down since its implementation.

“Why these billboards which are around the country not taken down. Anwar is recognised internationally as a political prisoner but with regard to GST, the government is lying to the people,” she said.

NGO Bebas Anwar campaigner Adrian Lim said he checked with Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali who verified that there were no orders by his office to take down the billboards.

“Hence, the IGP should retire early for misleading the public and calling such advertisement to be taken down,” he said. -Mkini