Former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim has criticised ex-premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad's attempt to strike out a defamation suit after having openly labelled him (Anwar)a 'sodomist'.

Last Friday, Mahathir filed an application to the Kuala Lumpur High Court seeking to strike out the suit, which had resulted from his remark during a human rights conference in September 2005.

Commenting on this today in a one-page statement, Anwar said: "This latest attempt on his part after two years to dismiss my suit without resorting to a trial clearly indicates he has no moral ground whatsoever to stand on.

"He knows I have evidence which, when exposed in open court, will confirm all the statements I have made about his gross abuse of power, autocratic ways and corrupt practices during his rule."

Anwar had earlier vowed to reveal that the fallout between the duo had begun as early as 1995 - three years before he was sacked - over a few decisions which upset Mahathir.

"Mahathir has made a scurrilous and utterly reckless accusation about my character. If he believes that he is justified in saying that, he must have the moral courage to face me in court," said Anwar, who is now adviser to opposition Parti Keadilan Rakyat.

He reiterated his challenge for a independent commission to probe billions of ringgit that Mahathir had allegedly amassed while in power, the latter's role in the dismissal of ex-Lord President Salleh Abas and other judges, as well as the use of repressive acts against dissidents.

New date set

In an apparent bid to avoid a courtroom showdown, Mahathir in his application last week had argued the Anwar's suit was "frivolous" and explained that he (Mahathir) had been accounting for his actions as to why he had sacked Anwar.

(At the time, Mahathir had said: "I cannot have a person who is like that in my cabinet who may succeed and become the prime minister. Imagine having a gay prime minister. Nobody would be safe.")

The ex-premier, in a 48-page affidavit with his application, also accused Anwar of aspiring to be the premier and using the suit to "rehabilitate himself for high office or to undermine and attack the various court findings against him".

Anwar's suit did not proceed for case management in the Kuala Lumpur High Court as scheduled today because Judicial Commissioner Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat did not give instructions pertaining the suit.

"Due to the pending application to strike out (the main suit), the court decided it will hear the application first," said lawyer Sankara Nair, who represents Anwar.

He told malaysiakini that a meeting had been held in chambers this morning with all parties involved, including Mahathir's counsel VK Lingam and co-counsel V Sithambaram.

The judicial commissioner has fixed March 7 for case management.

Anwar had previously expressed shock over Mahathir's remark, particularly as it came after a court in 2005 awarded him (Anwar) millions of ringgit in damages over a book that aired the sodomy allegations.

Although Anwar demanded a public apology and RM100 million, his lawyers had said he was looking for vindication, rather than compensation.

After his removal from his posts in the government and Umno, Anwar was tried for, and convicted of, sodomy and corruption. He spent six years in jail, until the sodomy conviction was overturned in 2004.

He has always insisted that the charges were trumped up as there was a political conspiracy against him, an allegation that Mahathir had denied.