Below is jailed deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim's statement to the Federal Court after his appeal was dismissed by a three-member panel headed by Chief Justice Dzaiddin Abdullah.

"Your predecessor at least made no pretense of being spineless under Dr Mahathir (Mohamad)'s complete control. You, on the other hand, put up a charade of impartiality, professing an ardent desire to restore confidence in the jury. Those who hoped to see the judiciary rise again to become the conscience of the nation have today had their hopes shattered. Never have the cowardice of so few been such a horrendous betrayal of the hopes of so many.

"Today's judgment is a self-indictment by the highest court of the nation. The judges have shamelessly flogged themselves in full view of the entire world. Indeed, this appeal has been a question not so much of the law as of moral courage.

"The judgment today constitutes a blatant betrayal of the people's trust and is a perversion of the rule of law. The crux of my argument has been that the trial judge presided not over a trial but a mis-trial, violating every known legal principle and depriving me my fundamental right to due process.

Pit of imfamy

"Compelling evidence was produced to show that the prosecutors had attempted to procure fabricated evidence against me. The Federal Court had earlier condemned the irregularities and incriminated the judge. Today's verdict is the culmination of travesty of justice and indeed is the darkest hour of the judiciary.

"The Chief Justice has recklessly plunged into the pit of infamy. The conspiracy of the highest level has now come full circle to include the courts and the judiciary that have been emasculated and bludgeoned into submission by the hands of Dr Mahathir.

"I wish Dr Mahathir good luck in his purported retirement. There is nothing left for him to destroy. Justice is the courage of conviction. God willing the day of justice will return and I call on the friends of justice to remain steadfast. We shall clear the rubble, the corruption and injustice Dr M left in his trail and we will build a democratic and just Malaysia."