Former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim used the police to intimidate two individuals to retract their allegations of his sexual misconduct in an attempt to protect himself, the Federal Court was told today.

He went to great lengths to ensure that this matter did not come up to the public and to cover up the allegations, said senior federal counsel Azahar Mohamed.

If the investigation was made known to the public, it would have triggered public outcry and caused deep embarrassment to Anwar who was then the deputy premier and finance minister, Azahar added.