The Court of Appeal has agreed to hear former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim's bail application at the end of the current appeal proceedings against his conviction for sodomy and nine-year jail sentence.

Anwar had filed an application for bail this morning and originally requested the court to consider the matter o­n Monday.

He is due for release o­n April 14 after having served four of the six-year sentence for corruption. Prisoners are entitled to o­ne-third remission of the sentence for good behaviour.

Medical treatment

Defence counsel Sankara Nair told malaysiakini that the bail application was filed at the Court of Appeal registry this morning together with a certificate of urgency so that the matter can be heard as soon as possible.

Later, however, the court agreed to hear the application after parties complete their submissions o­n Anwar's sodomy appeal, now being held before appellate judges Pajan Singh Gill, Hashim Mohd Yusof and Richard Malanjum.

Anwar urged the court to allow his application for bail and stay of execution of his second jail sentence (for sodomy) because he is in need of medical treatment in Germany.

He submitted documents from the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) and the Geneva-based Inter-Parliamentary Union, supporting his wish to receive treatment overseas.

Anwar also said he ought to be given bail as sodomy is not classified as 'non-bailable' offence and it has been the norm to grant bail at the court's discretion.

"I am also advised by counsel that all the previous reasons given by the court in dismissing my application for bail are now redundant - there is no threat to national security and there is nothing to suggest such a security situation exists," he said in his affidavit in support of the application.

"Also, I am advised that this is o­nly an appeal where no witnesses are involved, so the reason advanced earlier of likelihood of interfering with witnesses does not arise."

'Political machinations'

In a written response to malaysiakini , Anwar said that, while he is anxious to be with his family and friends, he is aware of attempts to deny him this right.

"I am mindful of the political machinations to frustrate this right," he wrote.

On the 'Free Anwar o­n April 14' campaign, he said: "I am gratified that the reformasi spirit remains alive. The campaign clearly demonstrates the spirit of reformasi for democracy and justice remains alive."

As for his chances of success in his appeal, Anwar said he had tried his best to adduce evidence to show that the charges were fabricated by his political enemies.

"I reiterate that, based o­n the facts and the law, my appeal must be allowed. We have established conclusively that the trumped up charge was untenable in law and that the conviction was clearly political," he said.