JAILED opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, who underwent surgery in November, will need 10 weeks to recover from the operation on the right shoulder joint.

The surgery is far more complicated than the one he underwent in 2004, said his daughter and PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar.

“The quality of life he is receiving while he is (incarceration) will impact on his movement… he has not been able to fully utilise his right arm,” the Lembah Pantai MP said at an event for top PT3 and UPSR pupils at her constituency today.

“There are a lot of restrictions for political prisoners and there are guards on standby 24 hours a day.”  

Anwar underwent surgery on November 12 for an injury suffered during a September car crash involving a Prison Department vehicle.

After the incident, Prime Minister Najib Razak, his deputy Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Tourism and Culture Minister Mohamed Nazri Aziz visited the Pakatan Harapan de facto leader, which were slammed by social media users.

Anwar is currently receiving treatment at a rehabilitation centre in Cheras, Nurul Izzah said.

“There are limits to our visits and all our conversations are monitored.

“Even though he is not a free man, he can still engage with us and does provide principles and key barometers in holding on to the reform agenda.

“Our family definitely want him to be there (rehabilitation centre) because if he goes back to prison, his (movements) will be severely affected.”

Anwar is serving a five-year jail sentence for his February 2015 conviction for sodomising his former aide, Saiful Bukhari Azlan. – December 20, 2017.