KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 10 (AFP) - Malaysia's jailed former deputy premier
Anwar Ibrahim was hospitalised Friday amid allegations he was suffering
from arsenic poisoning and was possibly the victim of attempted murder.

The allegations by Anwar's lawyers prompted a heated courtoom exchange
before his sodomy trial was adjourned.

After making a police statement, the former deputy prime minister and
finance minister was taken to the National University Hospital where he was
seen being examined by a doctor in an isolated ward.

Defence counsel Karpal Singh told the High Court earlier Friday a specimen
of Anwar's urine was obtained in mid-August and sent to Australia. The
pathologist's report found "arsenic levels beyond danger", he said.

Asked by Judge Arifin Jaka how he was feeling, Anwar told the court he was
"certainly not my usual self" and was suffering from hair loss.

In a statement made to police and later released by his wife, Anwar said
the level of arsenic was 77 times the normal level and he was also
suffering from weight loss, numbness and dry skin.

He called for assurances a detailed investigation would be carried out. "It
is a heinous crime and maybe a murder attempt," he said.

In the first official reaction to Anwar's arsenic allegations, Deputy
Premier Abdullah Ahamad Badawi late Friday said he had ordered an urgent
investigation.

"I have informed the officers concerned to initiate an investigation to
probe the allegations hurled against the government," Home Minister
Abdullah was quoted as saying by the official Bernama news agency.
 

Karpal said the medical report was "significant" given Anwar had been
beaten up by

Malaysia's then police chief after he was handcuffed and blindfolded on the
night of his arrest on September 20 last year.

"It could well be that someone out there wants to get rid of him. It would
be a shame if the conspiracy we have been referring to should include
murder," he said, alluding to Anwar's repeated accusations of a political
conspiracy.

"I suspect some people in high places are in all likelihood responsible for
the situation."

But Attorney-General Mohtar Abdullah, the chief prosecutor, said such
allegations were premature and implied Anwar's family might be responsible.

"I caution my learned friend not to jump the gun," he said, adding he had
seen Anwar "consume drinks and food in this very court room".

When Anwar said the drinks and food had been brought by his wife, Mohtar
said: "If evidence shows that there is deliberate poisoning, as public
prosecutor I will leave no stone unturned.

"Anwar has been allowed by prison authorities to move around and mingle
with his family and friends," he said.

In an angry outburst, Anwar banged his fist on the dock and shouted: "I'm
talking about poison and he's talking about prison regulations."

Anwar's wife Wan Azizah Wan Ismail later told reporters she was "alarmed
and very frightened" by the allegations and dismissed Mohtar's suggestion.

"How could anybody think about that at a time like this, that the family
could be the cause of this or even have the thought of poisoning him?" she
asked.

Azizah, who heads a newly-formed opposition party, received support from
other opposition leaders.

"A year ago, any suggestion of arsenic poisoning of a prisoner --
particularly one who had held as high a post as deputy prime minister --
would have been unthinkable," Democratic Action Party leader Lim Kit Siang
said.

"But so many incredible things have transpired in the past 12 months," he
said, adding Malaysia's state institutions had been "so subverted and
compromised that such a suggestion is no more unthinkable".

Mahfuz Omar, head of the youth wing of Parti Islam Semalaysia (PAS),
denounced what he described as "the second murder attempt on Anwar Ibrahim"
and called for the Malaysian king to intervene.

Human rights group Aliran said in a separate statement Mohtar "should not
be involved in any investigations to unravel the poison mystery".

Anwar, who was fired by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad on September 2 last
year, was sentenced to six years jail in April after being found guilty of
abusing his position to cover up allegations of sexual misconduct.

He faces a further sentence of up to 20 years if convicted of sodomy in his
second trial, which began in July.