Anwar urges fight for political reform

The imprisoned former deputy prime minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim, has called for the fight for political reform to continue, as police prevented people from gathering outside the prison where he's being held.

Mr Anwar's supporters wanted to mark his third birthday spent in jail.

In a message delivered through his wife, Wan Aziza Ismail, Mr Anwar said the struggle for reform should intensify, despite restrictions and oppression.

All roads leading to the Sungai Buloh prison, some 40 kilometres outside the capital, Kuala Lumpur, were cordoned off, and police helicopters scoured the area.

About 200 people later gathered 10 kilometres from the prison, holding banners and shouting slogans. Mr Anwar, who turned 54 on Friday, is serving a 15-year sentence for sodomy and abuse of power.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service