Anwar Ibrahim wants to go to Germany for an endoscopic operation on his back. He believes that the operation cannot be conducted safely in this country. The Malaysian government on the other hand, believes that it has done enough to ensure that Anwar has access to medical facilities here and will not grant him permission to acquire medical aid overseas.

There are obviously two sides of the coin. Those who believe Anwar is in jail on trumped sodomy and corruption charges say that he should be allowed to go because he's political prisoner.

They argue that Anwar has more to lose if he flees from the country as he has already given his word that he will return. Anwar's wife, Wan Azizah, believes that Anwar's operation might be sabotaged if he were to have it here.

This is a view that I do not agree with and it was also accurately rebutted by Dr Ng Cheong Keat . Malaysian doctors are not assassins, and unless they can prove otherwise, this statement is moot.

Wan Azizah also need not worry, as the Malaysian government will be committing political suicide if they purposely undermine the success of Anwar's operation. It would be in their best interest to ensure that Anwar is healthy and back in jail where he can be blocked out from local and international media coverage.

In fact, Pak Lah's credibility will be severely affected should such a incident occur and his position as party president would be in jeopardy should Anwar's operation be covertly sabotaged.

This is especially so since Tengku Razaleigh now also wants to contest for the Umno president's post.

On the other hand, the Malaysian government has a point. Under Malaysian law they are only obliged to send an individual for overseas treatment if the said procedure is not available in this country.

Doctors who I have spoken to have mentioned that the endoscopic procedure can be done here in Malaysia. Furthermore, the Malaysian government had allowed Anwar's doctor from the Alphaklinik in Germany to conduct the operation here on Malaysian soil, but he refused.

I believe that the Malaysian government should not bend over backwards for Anwar anymore with regards to this matter.

Firstly, allowing Anwar to go to Germany would open Pandora's box. Certain questions will definitely need to be answered and could create a legally binding precedence which is bad.

Among the questions that would need to be answered are: On what grounds are we letting Anwar go for overseas treatment? Is it because he's an ex-minister? Or is it because some parties believe that he's a political prisoner?

If we do allow him to go to Germany, will we also allow other ordinary prisoners to seek foreign medical attention? If not, why not? Why must we give Anwar Ibrahim special treatment?

Magnetizing the situation might sound insensitive, but who's to pay for sending Anwar to Germany? More importantly, who is going to foot the bill for Malaysian prisoners in the future who decide to seek treatment overseas?

It would not only be unethical to allow Anwar to seek medical treatment overseas, but it will also be bending the law to suit a politician. The Free Anwar Movement made a tactical error when they announced that Anwar must be given what he wanted or the government will suffer from 'certain actions'.

In an age where terror is creating havoc in many parts of the world, that statement has ruled unfavourably against Anwar. How can the Free Anwar Movement expect the government to respond favourably to them when faced with such threats?

Obviously, the government has to take a hardline stance against such threats in order to ensure that their pride and sovereignty is taken care of. No government in the world can afford to comply to threats on policy decisions in this day and age and the Malaysian government is no

Regardless of whether he is a political prisoner or not, Anwar should take a principled stand and follow the rules as outlined and applied to all Malaysian prisoners. Nelson Mandela didn't ask to wear different prison uniform or demand for special treatment while he was in jail. The same was applied to Mohandas Gandhi. They fought the evil system using the system.

Why then should the Malaysian government accommodate Anwar's wishes any more than they would accommodate the wishes of famous Malaysian prisoners like Mona Fandey or Botak Chin?

On principle, Anwar should not demand special treatment as it reinforces the patronage system that we are currently so desperately trying to fight against in this country. People should not be given special status by virtue of their positions or previous positions.

If Anwar agrees to go to Germany, it would be as if he's snubbing the very principles of his own parti - Parti Keadilan Rakyat. Social justice and democracy can only come when all citizens are treated equally.

While I sincerely believe that Anwar and family are good people, their request to have his operation overseas is unreasonable. The best way to fight the system is to use the system. And for that Anwar needs to play by the rules.

I wish you all the best, Anwar, and hope that you recover soonest.