Malaysia's Anwar arrested over sex charges

Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has been arrested on charges of sexual assault on a former employee.

Mr Anwar was arrested at his home by police after an arrest warrant was issued for him yesterday.

Mr Anwar, who is leading a charge by a rejuvenated opposition to unseat the government, challenged the police this week to serve an order on him, raising the stakes in a political saga that has rattled foreign investors.

"There is no fear (on the part of) Anwar Ibrahim about any arrest," his lawyer Sankara Nair told reporters at Mr Anwar's house while a dozen or so of his supporters gathered under a makeshift tent outside. "He will face the consequences as they come."

Mr Anwar had earlier agreed to meet police on Monday to give his statement on a sodomy complaint a former aide brought against him.

But Sankara said Mr Anwar did not go as planned, in protest over an attempt by the police to serve an order on him after he had agreed to go voluntarily.

A police order requires a person to give a statement as a witness in police investigations. If a person fails to comply, police can obtain a court order to compel him to do so.

Police said they were considering various options to get Mr Anwar to give his statement, including arrest.

"We have given him the chance and the space to turn up," Federal criminal investigation chief Bakri Zinin told reporters. "We have other options to compel him to turn up."

Reuters