GERMANY: REBEL MALAYSIAN POLITICIAN ANWAR IBRAHIM VOWS TO "CONTINUE TO BE ACTIVE IN POLITICS" JUST DAYS AFTER UNDERGOING SPINAL SURGERY IN MUNICH
Record ID:
208451
GERMANY: REBEL MALAYSIAN POLITICIAN ANWAR IBRAHIM VOWS TO "CONTINUE TO BE ACTIVE IN POLITICS" JUST DAYS AFTER UNDERGOING SPINAL SURGERY IN MUNICH
- Title: GERMANY: REBEL MALAYSIAN POLITICIAN ANWAR IBRAHIM VOWS TO "CONTINUE TO BE ACTIVE IN POLITICS" JUST DAYS AFTER UNDERGOING SPINAL SURGERY IN MUNICH
- Date: 9th September 2004
- Summary: (U4) MUNICH, GERMANY (SEPTEMBER 9, 2004) (REUTERS) 1. EXTERIOR CLINIC WHERE MALAYSIAN REBEL POLITICIAN ANWAR IBRAHIM IS BEING TREATED 0.05 2. CU: SIGN READING ALPHA KLINIK 0.10 3. CU: WINDOWS 0.14 4. ANWAR IBRAHIM LYING IN BED, HIS WIFE AND CHILDREN STANDING NEXT TO HIM 0.23 5. SCU: IBRAHIM'S WIFE, WAN AZIZAH (ON LEFT) 0.28 6. CU: ANWAR SPEAKING 0.34 7. SCU: WAN AZIZAH WITH NEWSPAPERS/ CU ARTICLE FEATURING IBRAHIM (2 SHOTS) 0.44 8. (SOUNDBITE) (English) MALAYSIAN REBEL POLITICIAN ANWAR IBRAHIM SAYING: "I feel much better. I'm relieved to be able to slowly walk on my own although I'm being advised to do it steadily, under strict supervision and undergoing minor physical activities and physiotherapy. I feel great." 1.08 9. CU: NEWSPAPER PHOTOGRAPH OF ANWAR 1.14 10. (SOUNDBITE) (English) ANWAR IBRAHIM SAYING: "I agree with Dr. (Thomas) Hoogland (who carried out surgery) who is keen to make sure that I recover fully in terms of physical strength because he anticipates some pressures on my physical self, particularly back home. Therefore, I need to discuss this with him when is the right time for me to leave. As it stands, I am here for the next two weeks. I enjoy myself in Munich." 1.43 11. CU: ANWARS HANDS AS HE IS SPEAKING 1.48 12. (SOUNDBITE) (English) ANWAR IBRAHIM SAYING: "I'm actually involved in politics and giving continuous political interviews as well as expressing opinions on national and international issues. Depending on the conviction of the first case is primarily because we believe that there is judicial power or digression to decide on the process that has been proven to be flawed and unjust. And given the fact from the law an appeal must be allowed. But not withstanding that, I will continue to be active in politics. The only difference is that I would not be able to hold any position in the party, whatever political position. I will not be allowed to contest in any elections till 2008." 2.50 13. CU: ROSES; SV ANWAR POSING WITH FAMILY; SLV EXTERIOR OF CLINIC (3 SHOTS) 3.08 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 24th September 2004 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: MUNICH, GERMANY
- Country: Germany
- Reuters ID: LVAEIFPDJJHAZEYM42B1QLIVVXFB
- Story Text: Malaysian rebel politician Anwar Ibrahim has vowed
to "continue to be active in politics" days after
undergoing spinal surgery in Germany.
Rebel Malaysian politician and former Deputy Prime
Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, is recovering in Germany where he
underwent back surgery after being released from prison. He
had been serving a nine-year sentence.
Dr. Thomas Hoogland, head of spinal surgery at the
private Alpha Klinik said Anwar is suffering from a
stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal canal, and needed
surgery on an intervertebral disc.
The 57-yearl old rebel politician was unexpectedly
released from prison last week after serving almost six
years on what he calls trumped-up charges of sodomy and
corruption. Malaysia's Federal Court overturned the sodomy
charges. He said he hoped the highest court would also
strike down his other criminal conviction for corruption,
which would enable him to return to political life
immediately. Anwar has said the charges against him were
fabricated by the administration of former Malaysian Prime Minister
Mahathir Mohamad to ruin his poltical career after Anwar
led street protests against the government, calling for
reform.
Mahathir, who retired last October after 22 years in
power, denies playing a hand in bringing the charges
against Anwar.
Speaking on Thursday Anwar said he felt a lot better,
physically.
"I feel much better. I'm relieved to be able to slowly
walk on my own although I'm being advised to do it
steadily, under strict supervision and undergoing minor
physical activities and physiotherapy. I feel great," Anwar
said.
But he added he wanted to ensure he was fighting fit
before going home where he is expected to return to active
politics. His lawyers moved on Monday (September 6) to have
his criminal record wiped clean.
Anwar's legal team appeared before the same court that
freed him from almost six years in prison to argue that his
corruption conviction should be overturned, just as his
conviction for sodomy was quashed in last Thursday's shock
ruling. No immediate ruling is expected.
His doctors have advised Anwar stay in Munich for a
week or so.
"I agree with Dr. (Thomas) Hoogland (who carried out
surgery) who is keen to make sure that I recover fully in
terms of physical strength because he anticipates some
pressures on my physical self, particularly back home.
Therefore, I need to discuss this with him when is the
right time for me to leave. As it stands, I am here for the
next two weeks. I enjoy myself in Munich," Anwar said.
Under Malaysian law, Anwar is barred from returning to
active politics until 2008. The court reversed his sodomy
conviction last week and his family lawyer said his legal
team would now seek to have his remaining criminal
conviction, for corruption, overturned.
If this conviction were erased, the ban would be
lifted and Anwar would be able to return to political life
immediately, lawyer Sankara Nair told Reuters on Friday.
Malaysia's highest court is due to rule on the appeal
on September 15.
"I'm actually involved in politics and giving
continuous political interviews as well as expressing
opinions on national and international issues. Depending on
the conviction of the
first case is primarily because we believe that there is
judicial power or digression to decide on the process that
has been proven to be flawed and unjust. And given the fact
from the law an appeal must be allowed. But not
withstanding that, I will continue to be active in
politics. The only difference is that I would not be able
to hold any position in the party, whatever political
position. I will not be allowed to contest in any elections
till 2008," Anwar said.
In Malaysia about 2,000 supporters turned up at the
airport to give him a send-off before flying to Germany,
chanting "Long live Anwar". Aides had to hold back the
crowd as he was pushed in a wheelchair towards the
departure area.
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