To deny jailed ex-deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim bail would be an infringement of his constitutional right to be treated equally before the law, the Court of Appeal heard today.

Lawyer Karpal Singh ( photo ) said similar to Anwar's co-accused Sukma Darmawan Sasmitaat Madja, the jailed politician should be given bail pending the disposal of his appeal against his sodomy conviction.

"The Federal Constitution states that all citizens must be equal before the law. In this case o­ne accused is allowed bail but yet the other is not.