KUALA LUMPUR Malaysian opposition parties, human rights groups and nongovernmental bodies marked the second anniversary of the jailing of former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim on Saturday with a demand that the government allow greater freedom and civil liberties.

A delegation representation the groups submitted a 10-point memorandum on the issue to Malaysia's Human Rights Commission (Suhakam), which was set up two years ago by the government to probe human rights complaints.

About 1,000 supporters of the groups held a peaceful sit-down protest outside Suhakam's office in Kuala Lumpur, where they carried placards saying "protect human rights" and shouted "Allahu Akbar" or "God is Greatest."

Some 400 policemen stood guard nearby but did not take action against the protestors, who dispersed within two hours.

Police had warned Anwar's supporters not to stage any "reformasi" (reforms) street protests, which are illegal in Malaysia, to mark "Black 14", which is how the supporters refer to the anniversary of Anwar's jailing.

Police on Wednesday arrested seven "reformasi" activists, who were mostly from Anwar's opposition National Justice Party, to probe an alleged plot that the movement planned to stage a 50,000-strong demonstration on Saturday, as well as other violent protests to topple the government before the next general election in 2004.

The claim has been strongly denounced as lies by the movement and opposition parties, which accused Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad of using police to quell rising dissent against his 20-year rule.

Anwar's wife, Wan Azizah wan Ismail, who was among the delegation members, said: "We have hope in Suhakam. The people's hopes lie with Suhakam," when asked about the purpose of the memorandum.

The memorandum urges Suhakam to press the government to abolish the Internal Security Act (ISA) which was used to arrest the activists, to ensure freedom of expression and the right to hold public gatherings, and to unshackle Malaysia's mostly pro-government media.

It also calls for the government to end corruption, cronyism and nepotism, investigate an alleged lack of professionalism within the police force, and for Malaysia to recognize international human rights laws.

The plight of Anwar, who is serving 15 years in jail after he was convicted of corruption and sodomy, was also raised by Keadilan.

Keadilan on Saturday began a campaign urging the public to mail postcards to Suhakam demanding that Anwar, who has been warded since November for back pains, be allowed to travel overseas for specialized micro-surgery on his spine.

The government rejected Anwar's application to undergo the surgery at the Munich-based Alpha Klinik, saying that as a convicted prisoner, he must be operated on at a local hospital.

Anwar, 53, was sacked by Mahathir on September 2, 1998 for alleged sexual misconduct, and was arrested three weeks later after staging "reformasi" protests calling for the premier's ouster.

He strongly denies the sex allegations and says evidence at his trials were trumped up in a conspiracy hatched by the 75-year-old Mahathir who feared a political challenge.

The U.S. and other Western governments, as well as groups such as Amnesty International, consider Anwar a political prisoner and have called for his release or retrial.

(DPA)