Amid heavy security, jailed ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim conducted the marriage vows ( akad nikah ) ceremony for his eldest daughter Nurul Izzah at the family residence in Bukit Damansara, Kuala Lumpur today.

He arrived at the house from the Sungai Buloh prison - where he is serving a nine-year jail sentence for sodomy - at 4.30pm under the watchful eyes of some 40 prison officials.

The 56-year-old ex-deputy premier, who suffers from a prolapsed disc, was wearing a neck brace and could o­nly walk with the aid of security personnel. Despite this, he appeared cheerful.

He left two hours later after solemnising the marriage of Nurul Izzah, 23, and Shell engineer Raja Ahmad Sharir Iskandar Raja Salim.

The wedding ceremony commenced shortly after Anwar's arrival, 45 minutes after the bridegroom's entourage had arrived.

Apart from family and friends, o­nly a handful of reporters were allowed into the house compound to cover the event.

According to a Keadilan leader, the event was deliberately low-key as the police had agreed to allow Anwar to come o­n the condition that there is no reformasi gathering.

While some 300 guests witnessed the wedding from within the house compound, the event was televised for some 50 others, mainly supporters of the ex-deputy premier, who had gathered outside.

'Cruel fate'

Earlier, a minor scuffle erupted between a press cameraman and several security personnel from the bride's family when they barred photographers from taking pictures of the 27-year-old groom.

Promising to issue official photographs later, the organisers also prevented photographers, much to their bewilderment, from taking pictures of the canopies, tables and chairs in the compound.

After solemnising the wedding, Anwar recited a prayer asking for the "cruel fate" which had befell his family to end soon, moving some of those present to tears.

He then embraced the groom and teased the newlyweds as they exchanged rings.

When met Anwar's wife and Keadilan president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said it was a bittersweet moment for her.

She said she was happy with the new additional member to the family but felt sad that her husband could not partake in the revelry with them

After her father left, Nurul Izzah told reporters that his presence made this day o­ne of the happiest in her life.

"This is the second best moment of my life. The best would be when my dad goes free," she said.

Special permission

The family had requested special permission from the Home Ministry for Anwar to be let out for the full three days of celebration.

His lawyer Sankara Nair said an application has been made but there they have yet to receive a reply.

Among those who attended the ceremony were Anwar's father Ibrahim Abdul Rahman and his brothers as well as Wan Azizah's family members.

Other guests included Terengganu mufti Abdul Halim Kadir, PAS state assemblyperson Ismail Kamus, DAP national publicity secretary Ronnie Liu and Saleha Ali, sister-in-law of Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The wedding celebration will commence over the weekend to allow friends and supporters to meet the couple.

Earlier today, the Court of Appeal postponed Anwar's bail application hearing after being told that he has to attend the wedding.