PKR vice-president Tian Chua has promised mass protests if the party's de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim is convicted for sodomy.

Addressing more than 500 supporters assembled outside the Palace of Justice today, Tian Chua said supporters will be mobilised in Kuala Lumpur over the weekend.

"We will gather at Dataran Merdeka this weekend if Anwar is sentenced.

"This will be a mark of the rakyat's uprising and a new wave to defend the opposition leader," he declared.

The crowd cheered in response and began to chant "reformasi".

They carried banners and placards which read: "Justice for Anwar", "The rakyat is the country's judge" and "Permatang Pauh demands justice for Anwar".

Also delivering speeches were PKR Youth chief Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad and PKR Wanita chief Zuraida Kamaruddin.

They spoke from the cargo bay of a four-wheel drive which was used as a makeshift stage.

Earlier, the crowd also held a prayer session for Anwar's freedom.

Anwar, who was sentenced to five years' jail for sodomising his former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan, is going through his final appeal at the Federal Court.

The hearing at the apex court began Last Tuesday and is expected to conclude on Thursday, but it remains unclear if the judges will deliver a decision immediately.

Anwar, who remains free on bail for now, has insisted the charge against him is politically motivated.

Related stories

'13 yr DNA used to convict murderer, why not Anwar'

Go back to law school, Anwar tells Shafee

Anwar: Case should have been thrown out

'Saiful not an accomplice, but victim of sex crime'

PKR vows mass protests if Anwar jailed

'Final message' as Sodomy II decision nears