Anwar verdict due

The authorities say they will crack down on protesters

The verdict in the sodomy trial of jailed politician Anwar Ibrahim will be delivered on Tuesday, according to his defence lawyer.

Lawyer Sankara Nair said a High Court statement said had judgement for the landmark trial would be given at 0930 local time (0130 GMT).

The former deputy minister faces up to 20 years in jail if found guilty of the charge of sodomising his former family driver.

A mattress said to have semen stains was produced in the trial

Mr Anwar - dismissed by Prime Minster Mahathir Mohammad in 1998 - is already serving a six-year jail term for abusing his official powers, a charge he denies.

Supporters criticised the late notice given for the verdict as some may find it difficult to get leave from their jobs to attend.

The verdict was originally set for Friday, but Judge Ariffin Jaka postponed it just a day earlier, saying he was not ready with his decision.

Opposition leaders have said the verdict was delayed because the government feared a massive rally would be held.

Demonstrations

The authorities have continued to warn people against assembling outside the court.

Anwar denies the charges

Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said this would help avoid confrontations between demonstrators and the authorities.

"Demonstrations in the country which normally begin peacefully, always end up being tense and riotous,'' he said.

On Friday, the police said they would deal sternly with any illegal protest.

Gatherings of more than five people require police permits under Malaysian law.

Mr Anwar's wife, Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, has appealed to the authorities not to crack down on protesters.

"We speak about the freedom of assembly in our constitution. It is the people's right to be able to (gather)," she said.

The officially-appointed Malaysian Human Rights Commission also said last week that peaceful assembly outside the court was a "basic human right".

Contentious case

The Anwar issue has split the country and has sparked repeated street clashes between police and protesters.

Sukma faces another charge of abetting Anwar to have sex

It has also badly damaged support for the ruling party among the ethnic Malay community.

Mr Anwar, 53 on Thursday, faces the sodomy charge with his adopted brother Sukma Darmawan, 39, who also faces another charge of abetting Mr Anwar to sodomise the driver.

Under Malaysian law, sodomy is punishable by maximum imprisonment of 20 years and whipping with a cane.

Mr Anwar has always denied all the charges against him saying they were fabricated to end his political career.