Jailed deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim today said the circumstances under which his application for a judicial review was postponed 24 hours before it was to be heard raised a "grave suspicion".

"It appears to confirm public perception about the continued devious maneuver by the powers-that-be to interfere with the course of justice," said Anwar through his lawyer Sankara Nair.

One of Anwar's lawyers met the former deputy prime minister earlier today at the Sungai Buloh prison to inform him about the postponement of his (Anwar's) application to the Federal Court to review his conviction and sentence for corruption.

Anwar is seeking the country's highest court to review its own decision in upholding a 1999 High Court decision which convicted and sentenced him to six-years' jail for corruption.

Why now?

Sankara (photo) was informed by the court registrar this morning that the application, originally to be heard tomorrow, has been taken off following an application by the Attorney-General's Chambers for a five-member panel, instead of three, to hear the matter.

The letter from the AG's Chambers was sent this morning, and the incoming Chief Justice Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim had approved the request. However, arrangements for the five-member panel could not be made due to short notice and the matter has been rescheduled.

In a statement, Anwar pointed out that in the past, when he had made similar requests for the panel of the Federal Court be increased to five when his appeals were heard, the "attorney-general did not lift a finger to support our request".

"So why now and why the last minute?" he asked.

Victim of conspiracy

Since no new date has been fixed to hear Anwar's application, he requests the court to fix an early date.

In addition to the six years for corruption, Anwar also faces another nine-year jail sentence for sodomy. His appeal against the second sentence will be heard by the Court of Appeal o­n March 24.

Anwar has always maintained that he was a victim of a political conspiracy.