Mr Anwar was sentenced to six years in jail earlier this month after being found guilty on four counts of abusing his position to cover up allegations of sexual misconduct.

His conviction sparked a series of protests on the streets of the capital, Kuala Lumpur, with a number of demonstrators being arrested following clashed with police.

Mr Anwar's lawyer, Sankaran Nair told reporters the first stage of the appeals process, filing notice of appeal to the court registry, had been taken and the date for hearing the appeal would be set after the High Court responded to the notice.

Course of appeal

If Mr Anwar's lawyers fail to reverse the judgement in the High Court, they could then turn to the Federal Court, and, as a last resort, Mr Anwar could petition the king for a pardon.

On Tuesday, Malaysia's High Court is expected to announce whether Mr Anwar will be tried on one further count of corruption and five of sodomy, which is illegal in Malaysia.

Last week three men who gave evidence in Mr Anwar's trial were indicted by government prosecutors. Two of the men charged had confessed to sodomy with Mr Anwar, but later retracted their statements saying they had been tortured by the police.

Lawyers for the men said the surprise move appeared to indicate that the government was keen to move ahead with placing Mr Anwar on trial for the remaining charges.

Government protest

Malaysia says Wan Azizah's visit is interference by the Philippines

In a separate development, the Malaysian Government says it is to protest to the Philippines over a planned visit there by Mr Anwar's wife, Wan Azizah Ismail.

Mr Anwar's wife, Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, has launched a new opposition party, the National Justice Party, and is expected to begin a three-day visit to the Philippines on Wednesday at the invitation of a foundation led by former Philippines President, Corazon Aquino.

Foreign Minister Syed Hamid Albar, said Malaysia took seriously actions by any country giving her an opportunity to express her political agenda and he had asked his officials to summon the Philippines' ambassador to register its concern.

'Serious matter'

"I think this is a very serious matter and therefore I have asked my officials to call the Philippine ambassador to state our unease toward Wan Azizah's visit as president of a domestic party," Malaysia's official Bernama news agency quoted Mr Syed as saying.

Mr Syed said his government regarded the visit as an interference in Malaysia's domestic politics.

Wan Azizah has said she intends to challenge Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad in his own constituency in general elections due to be held before June 2000.