KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 27 (AFP) - The Malaysian government's human rights record is poor in several areas, the US State Department says in a report which describes ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim as a political prisoner.

Among other problems, it cites a decline in judicial independence, police abuses including extra-judicial killings, life-threatening conditions in detention camps for illegal immigrants and curbs on the press and public assembly.

The 10,600-word report covering last year -- part of the State Department's annual worldwide rights survey -- also notes some improvements such as the setting up of a human rights commission.

"The government generally respected its citizens' rights in some areas; however, its record was poor in a number of other areas, and significant problems remain," it says.

The report says that "many observers expressed serious doubts about the independence and impartiality of the judiciary, especially in high-profile cases."

However it notes the appointments last December of a "highly regarded" new chief justice and attorney general.

The State Department describes Anwar -- sacked as deputy premier in September 1998 before being detained for alleged corruption and sodomy -- as a "political prisoner."

It adds: "The government was motivated primarily by its desire to remove Anwar from political prominence following the significant manifestation of popular support for the reform movement that Anwar began after his removal."

The government denies any political motive in Anwar's prosecution.The State Department says Anwar -- currently serving jail terms totalling 15 years -- was denied a fair chance to defend himself due to "improper conduct by the police and prosecutors, along with many questionable rulings by the judge."

The report adds that "politically motivated, selective prosecution continued to be a concern during the year."

It notes a number of "extra-judicial killings" by police of suspects but says authorities prosecuted offenders in some cases.

"Police on occasion tortured, beat, or otherwise abused prisoners, detainees and demonstrators."

In detention camps for illegal immigrants, conditions "continued to pose a threat to life and health, although marginal improvements in food and water rations were reported."

Police used several laws to arrest and detain many people without charge or trial, the report says.

The State Department says government restrictions, pressure, and intimidation "led to a high degree of press self-censorship." Curbs were imposed on opposition publications and "proliferating slander and libel suits" also threatened freedom of speech.

Malaysia's government placed some curbs on freedom of assembly and some peaceful gatherings, the report says. There were "significant restrictions" on opposition parties' ability to compete effectively with the ruling coalition.

There were also some curbs on religious freedom, "in particular the right of Muslims to practice teachings other than Sunni Islam."