KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) - The family of jailed Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim says he will undergo shoulder surgery this weekend and asks that human rights groups be allowed to monitor the procedure to ensure his safety.
Anwar was sentenced to five years in prison in February 2015 over sodomy charges widely seen as politically motivated to eliminate any threats to the ruling coalition, whose popularity has declined in the past two general elections.
He is seen as the biggest political threat to Prime Minister Najib Razak, who has been grappling with allegations of graft linked to a multibillion-dollar scandal at state fund 1MDB.
Anwar’s family said his shoulder was injured in a car accident many years ago and he needs medication and regular pain therapy.
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