Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said he felt vindicated by the apology from Saiful Bukhari's father - Azlan Mohd Lazim - that he was innocent of sodomy charges.

"From the beginning, I maintained that I was innocent. The court had also decided the same when it freed me last year," said Anwar at a press conference after addressing Pakatan's 308 fifth year anniversary celebration in Penang last night.

The statement by Saiful's father has revealed another matter although this was never brought up in court, added the former deputy prime minister.

"For me, nothing has changed because from the beginning I had maintained that I am innocent, that this is a malicious slander".

NONE Anwar was referring to allegations by Azlan that his son was used by irresponsible quarters, including an officer of the prime minister, to defame him with sodomy charges.

In his statement, Azlan, 60, ( right ) claimed that all media statements by him and Saiful had been prepared by a special officer with the prime minister's office and a lawyer, Zamri Idrus.

Following the shocking revelation, Saiful expressed regret and sadness that his father had been used by Anwar to advance his political ambitions.

The 26 year-old former political aide of Anwar insisted that he would not retract his sodomy allegation against Anwar despite his dad's unexpected revelation.

The power of prayer

Anwar was acquitted by the Kuala Lumpur High Court on Jan 9 last year of allegedly committing the crime of sodomy against Saiful on June 26, 2008, in a condominium in Kuala Lumpur.

Anwar then thanked Azlan for issuing the apology in Kuala Lumpur, months ahead of a Court of Appeal case filed by the Attorney-General's Chambers against the Kuala Lumpur High Court decision.

The Court of Appeal will hear the case on July 22.

"I thank him for being willing to do it," was Anwar's crisp reply when asked what he felt about Azlan's action.

penang 308 anniversary 090313 anwar front Earlier at the ceramah held in Esplanade, Anwar told a 10,000-strong crowd that "Allah is great, God is great" for Azlan's comments proved that his son had been manipulated by Najib for several years.

He reminded the audience about others who made an about-turn to support him, like former senior prosecutor Mohd Yusof Zainal Abiden who resigned and joined Anwar's defence team in 2011.

"Whoever supports us, they (BN) claim we have given them billions. What is our money compared to BN's wealth?" he asked.

"People like Mohd Yusof and now Azlan have a conscience and that is why they come out to tell their stories," added the Permatang Pauh MP.

"This is the power of prayer. People from all religious backgrounds have been praying for me."