Anwar Ibrahim's private prosecution for slander is claiming $26m in damages for comments made by the prime minister.

Lawyers say he is also considering action against some news organisations which carried Dr Mahathir's comments, made shortly after Mr Anwar was arrested on sodomy and corruption charges.

The summons was delivered to the office of Dr Mahathir's legal representatives by Gobind Singh Deo, a lawyer for Mr Anwar.

He said: "We are suing Dr Mahathir in his personal capacity, not as the prime minister."

Graphic descriptions

Mr Anwar's lawyers say that the prime minister's remarks caused "agony and pain" and "colossal damage" to the jailed politician's reputation.

At the news conference on 22 September 1998 Dr Mahathir graphically described Anwar's alleged acts of sodomy, a crime in Malaysia.

Mr Anwar's lawyer said his client was not filing defamation suits just for possible financial benefit: "Money is not the issue. Justice is."

He added that Dr Mahathir's lawyers are required to answer the summons within eight days, but the process could take much longer if it gets entangled in legal complexities.

Dr Mahathir's lawyers have not commented on the summons and no date has been set for hearings.

Defence case

The trial of Mr Anwar on corruption charges resumes next week after a ten day break with the opening of the case for the defence.

Mr Anwar has said he wants to call Dr Mahathir and several other cabinet members to give evidence.

Mr Anwar maintains the charges against him are all part of a political conspiracy to oust him from power.