Lawyers for Anwar Ibrahim are requesting permission to bring in a German surgeon to conduct an examination on the jailed former deputy prime minister's back injury as soon as possible.

In a letter sent to the director of Kuala Lumpur General Hospital (KLGH), Anwar's lawyer Sankara Nair said that they are seeking permission for surgeon Dr Thomas Hoogland of the exclusive Alpha-Klinik spine surgery centre in Munich to examine Anwar..

The letter further stated that although the KLGH panel of surgeons were held in high esteem and regard, it should be recognised that the panel was essentially made up of general neuro and orthopaedic surgeons.

The lack of facilities at KLGH was also noted when compared with those at the Alpha-Klinik spine surgery centre in Germany.

The letter stated that Hoogland has successfully performed more than 6,000 of 'minimally invasive' types of spine surgery and the Alpha-Klinik on average performs 15 times more spine surgeries in a month as compared with the KLGH.

Legal right

Sankara stated that Anwar and his family are convinced that Anwar's health is best served by him undergoing spine surgery performed by spine surgeons of his choice at a dedicated spine centre.

"Our client, who is currently serving a prison sentence, loses only his freedom as decreed by law, but all his other legal and constitutional rights including the right to the treatment of his choice, remains intact.

"He has every right to seek treatment at private facilities, provided the facility or specialist is not available in government hospitals and he can afford to pay for it," said Sankara.