KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 2 ― Jailed PKR leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is receiving treatment not accorded to other inmates at the Sungai Buloh Prison, Deputy Home Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed insisted today in the face of continued criticism from his family and supporters.

The Pulai MP told the Dewan Rakyat here that Putrajaya has already done its “maximum best” to take care of the former opposition leader during his incarceration.

“Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim  was given the opportunity to perform Friday prayers 35 times, mass prayers 60 times, given permission to attend his father's funeral on April 5 2015, given the opportunity to attend the Inter Parliamemtary Union on June 29 2015 and he was also given the chance to meet Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) on October 20 2015.

“He received special treatments which were not accorded to other inmates and I hope that his family will understand that the government will always care for his health,” Nur Jazlan said.

He was responding to a query by Lembah Pantai MP and Anwar's eldest daughter Nurul Izzah who asked the Home Ministry to state the standard procedure and the time needed to get immediate medical attention for a prisoner and reasons for Putrajaya's alleged failure in meeting the recommendations of specialists in carrying out an intensive physiotherapy and shoulder  surgery needed by Anwar.

Nurul Izzah had previously said her father had a shoulder injury which had worsened due to a delay in treatment, which is now affecting his spine.

She said that her father's condition mandates him to undergo an immediate micro-surgery or a shoulder replacement.

However, Nur Jazlan said that Anwar has already been inspected by three groups of orthopaedists, including one chosen by his family.

“These three orthopaedist groups have checked Datuk Seri Anwar and gave several treatment suggestions and the hospital authorities are now awaiting the decision on the treatment preferred by him,” he added.

Nur Jazlan said that Anwar has also been advised to undergo physiotherapy sessions that is suitable for him, adding that the 68-year-old is being constantly monitored by orthopaedists and physiotherapists.

Anwar has been behind bars since February 10, when the Federal Court upheld a ruling by a lower court that he had sodomised a former political aide.

This is the second time Anwar is being jailed; the first time was in 1999 on charges of corruption and a year later for sodomy.

The Federal Court, however, overturned his sodomy conviction in 2004.