Kuala Lumpur - A Malaysian judge yesterday postponed a verdict in the sodomy trial of the sacked deputy prime minister, Mr Anwar Ibrahim, originally set for today, saying it was not yet ready.
The postponement came as Mr Anwar's supporters said they planned to defy a police ban and rally in protest if he is convicted.
Police had warned that any gathering would be illegal without authorisation and vowed a crackdown. Under Malaysian law, any public assembly of more than five persons requires police approval.
Mr Anwar's legal team said he was upset with the deferment. "He said he's unhappy with the postponement because it is unusual," Mr Sankara Nair, one of Mr Anwar's lawyers, said. "It was done in the 11th hour and more so, no new date has been given. `It only leads to suspicion'," Mr Nair said, quoting Mr Anwar.