Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad has rejected the demands made by his ex-deputy Anwar Ibrahim, paving the way for a court battle.

Anwar had demanded a public apology and RM100 million from his former boss for calling him a 'sodomiser', failing which he threatened to file a defamation suit.

A letter, issued by Mahathir's solicitor V K Lingam today, read: "Our client does not accede to any of the demands made in your letter..."

The former premier will 'vigorously defend' any proceedings against him, added the letter addressed to the firm representing Anwar, SN Nair & partners.

Mahathir had made the statement in dispute during a press conference at the sidelines of an event organised by the Humans Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) last month.

He was reported to have said, "I cannot have a sodomiser in my cabinet' and 'imagine a gay PM...nobody will be safe."

Anwar had described the remarks as "grossly negligent, reckless, irresponsible, deliberate and malicious".

He further claimed that the remarks were aimed to discredit his character and "expose him to public hatred, scorn, odium, contempt and ridicule".

Justified remarks

In the letter, a copy of which was made available to malaysiakini , Lingam said Mahathir's remarks were justified as even the Federal Court had made a specific finding that Anwar was involved in homosexual activities.

He was referring to the statement made by Federal Court judge Abdul Hamid Mohamed who - despite acquitting Anwar of a sodomy charge - stated in his judgment on Sept 2, 2004 that he believed the former deputy premier was a homosexual.

"The court had held in its judgment that : ... we find evidence to confirm that the appellants (Anwar and Sukma Dermawan Sasmitaat Madja) were involved in homosexual activities and we are more inclined to believe that the alleged incident at Tivolli Villa (an upscale condominium) did happen..."

"The above finding of fact by the highest court in our country which is final and conclusive clearly proves that your client was in fact involved in homosexual activities," read the letter.

Lingam also reminded Anwar of his earlier failed attempts to hold Mahathir for libel over similar remarks.

"That previous libel action was struck out by the High Court o Aug 20, 1999 on grounds, which included the ground of justification available to our client on account of the convictions of Dr Munawar Anees and Sukma for allowing your client (Anwar) to sodomise them."

(Munawar and Sukma have since denied this claiming that they were then forced by the police to make the admission in court)

Lawsuit on the cards

Contacted later, Anwar's lawyer, Sankara Nair ( left ) said he had informed his client about the latest development and Anwar was expected to issue a statement soon.

"However, the instruction to file the suit (against Mahathir) still stands," he said, declining to state when this would be done.

Anwar, once the heir apparent to Mahathir, was sacked in 1998 and subsequently charged and convicted for sodomy and corruption.

The former deputy premier was slapped with a 15-year jail term but walked free last year after serving six years when his sodomy conviction was quashed upon appeal to the Federal Court.

From the onset, Anwar claimed that the charges were trumped-up as there was a political conspiracy against him. However, Mahathir has denied this.