No rules broken, no Internet for Anwar – Prison Dept

KUALA LUMPUR: The Prisons Department clarified that the treatment and facilities afforded to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim are in accordance with the Prison Act.

“Family meetings are among the main aspects that the department gives importance to in the rehabilitation process.

“Several types of meetings can be arranged for the prisoners such as early stage meetings, periodic meetings or special meetings,” the Prisons Department said in a statement yesterday in response to various speculations and reports on social media about the opposition leader.

It said that the early stage meetings would be held on the second day of incarceration or any day within a four-week period.

“In the case of Anwar, no rules were broken when his family was allowed to visit him on the third day. This initial meeting period is granted to all prisoners,” the statement said.

Meetings arranged after the four-week period were set and recorded in the prisoners’ cards and families could only meet them on the specified dates.

The department also denied that Anwar was given access to computers or phones with Internet connection as alleged by some quarters.

“The usage of computer, Internet or handphones are prohibited in prison and it is impossible for Anwar to have access to them,” the statement said.

The statement also said that any Facebook, Twitter or other social media updates made via Anwar’s accounts could have been done by anyone with access to them without the need for his presence.

The department also said that food served to the prisoners were based on recommendations by the Health Ministry, and may vary depending on their health conditions.

“Families can bring food for the prisoners when they visit them and this applies to all prisoners,” the statement said.

It also said that the department has followed all rules and regulations in the handling of prisoners including Anwar.

Meanwhile, Anwar’s daughter, Nurul Izzah, claimed that her father is jailed in “deplorable” conditions in a small cell equipped only with a thin foam mattress on the floor, a squat toilet and a bucket for bathing.

Nurul Izzah said the conditions were inappropriate for her father, who she called a “political prisoner”, and could exacerbate a chronic back problem and otherwise threaten the 67-yearold’s health.

Anwar was jailed last week for five years by the highest court on a sodomy charge, likely ending his career in politics.

“My father is kept in a cell which is deplorable. It is a bare cell with a two-inch (5 cm) foam mattress placed on the floor, a bucket for bathing and a squat toilet,” said Nurul Izzah, 34, who is Lembah Pantai member of parliament.

“We are shocked by the poor jail conditions.”

Nurul called on authorities at Anwar’s prison near Kuala Lumpur to provide a hospital bed.