TWO photographs carried by The Star on Oct 5 showed distinctly that there are two sets of laws pertaining to the treatment of prisoners.

On page two, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, a convicted prisoner, was seen walking out of hospital without handcuffs and with escorts all smiling as if they are still escorting a deputy prime minister.

Page three showed a few suspects under remand but shackled to the hilt.

Remand suspects are not convicted prisoners and, in law, still innocent. Their detention is merely to help in the investigation of a serious crime.

There apparently exists a special set of rules for Anwar.

This is neither fair nor just.

Anwar is serving time in prison after being convicted of a serious crime.

The Prisons Department should either extend the treatment enjoyed by Anwar to all prisoners or treat him as it would any normal prisoner.
 

MICHAEL CHONG
Batu Pahat