Anwar Ibrahim: "People have greater resolve and confidence to pursue the reform agenda"

Mr Anwar, who was dismissed at the beginning of the month, was speaking in Kuala Trengganu, on Malaysia's east coast, where he attracted an audience of several thousand.

Disobeying an order not to hold any public rallies without permission, Mr Anwar asked the crowd whether they backed his call for Dr Mahathir to stand down after 17 years in power.

The majority expressed their support for Mr Anwar.

But Mr Anwar said he knew the prime minister better than anyone, and guaranteed Dr Mahathir would not resign until the people demand reforms.

Misconduct allegations

Mr Anwar says some of his supporters have been detained and harassed

"Tomorrow, people will be angry with you. You are already 73 years old. I can forgive you and your friends but the people cannot," Mr Anwar said after Friday prayers.

The rally was one of a series being held across the country by Mr Anwar to promote his Reform Movement and in defence of allegations of misconduct that the government has made against him.

It is the first time Mr Anwar has made such a demand, although his speeches have been increasingly anti-government and more personal against Dr Mahathir.

Calls for Dr Mahathir to resign are extremely rare in Malaysia.

Government corruption

The rally was one of a series to build support for his Reform Movement

At the rally, Mr Anwar renewed his allegations of government corruption and said that his family and friends had been harassed.

Mr Anwar was sacked after accusations that he was morally unfit for office, and a police investigation is taking place into accusations of sexual misconduct and crimes against the state.

He denies all the allegations and claims his sacking was a high-level conspiracy to remove him from office because of his growing popularity.

On Thursday, the vice president of the ruling United Malays National Organisation said that Anwar's campaign for reform "could create chaos and spark a revolution, which would eventually lead to anarchy in the country."

Police in Kuala Trengganu made no effort to stop the rally, but earlier this week, Mr Anwar had been told that making public speeches without a permit could lead to arrests.

The Malaysian PM Dr Mahathir has challenged Mr Anwar to prove his innocence

He has said that he expects to be arrested after the Queen has closed the Commonwealth Games on Monday and ended her official visit to Malaysia next Wednesday.

Mr Anwar says that to detain him earlier would be politically embarrassing for the government.

If he is arrested it is likely he would be detained under the strict rules of the Internal Security Act that permits unlimited detention without trial.