The lawyer, Zainur Zakaria, was back in court on Tuesday morning after getting the 3-month sentence handed down on Monday suspended by a higher court pending an appeal on Friday.

However, there was no sign of a second lawyer working closely with Mr Anwar's defence team, Manjeet Singh Dhillon. Trial judge Augustine Paul issued arrest warrants for both men on Monday.

Mr Manjeet, who is also accused of contempt of court, is believed to be still at large.

Police witness questioned

A police witness told the court on Tuesday that he had tried and failed to win business favours from Mr Anwar, but said that was not why he was testifying against him.

Anwar Ibrahim: Denies all charges

Former police intelligence officer Amir Junos was called as a witness by the prosecution to prove allegations that Mr Anwar had directed the police to intimidate two people who had made sexual allegations against him.

Mr Anwar denies 10 counts of sodomy and corruption - charges which he claims are politically motivated.

He was charged followed his sacking and arrest in September. His trial is at the centre of the current civil unrest in Malaysia.

Contempt of court

Judge Augustine's decision to jail Mr Zainur stunned the courtroom and prompted international concern about whether Mr Anwar would receive a fair trial.

Mr Anwar attacked the development from the dock, saying: "I can't even discuss this with my lawyers now. Where is justice?"

Mr Zainur refused to apologise

Mr Zainur was sentenced to prison after he refused to apologise for presenting an affidavit on behalf of Mr Anwar claiming that two prosecution lawyers had attempted to fabricate evidence and calling for them to be removed from the trial.

The claim was supported by a statement from Mr Manjeet.

Both Mr Manjeet and Mr Zainur are former heads of the Malaysian Bar Council.