Rain failed to dampen the spirit of reformasi as about 200 people waited for more than an hour to catch a glimpse of the former deputy prime minister before he was sent back to his Sungai Buloh prison.

They gathered behind the Federal Court building, many of them shouted pro- reformasi slogans and sang songs in support of Anwar.

Ignoring the stares of the riot police and Special Branch officers, the crowd's exuberance heightened as Anwar appeared from the courtroom to give his characteristic wave.

No untoward incident took place as the crowd dispersed as soon as Anwar, under strict security, was driven away in a convoy of prison-department vehicles.

Anwar was attending his bail application hearing pending the disposal of his sodomy appeal. However, the Court of Appeal had reserved its judgment to an unspecified date.

The crowd started gathering as early as 5am, which swelled into a long queue at the court entrance by the time hearing began. Only about 26 out of 50, however, were allowed to observe the proceedings due to limited seats.

Others present included Anwar's wife Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail ( photo ), Keadilan vice-president Azmin Ali, DAP chairperson Lim Kit Siang and Seputeh MP Teresa Tok.

An elderly man, who had traveled all the way from Penang, expressed his disappointment at not being able to see Anwar in the courtroom.

"I was here since 5 am but still could not gain entry. I was even more disappointed when a decision was not delivered today," said the man who did not want to be named.

Visibly upset

A large number of people were visibly upset when they were denied entry into the courtroom, despite having waited from early morning.

Keadilan Shah Alam information chief Animah Anette Ferrar regretted the failure of the police to properly regulate entries.

"They (the police) did not follow the list (put up by the public on a first-come first-serve basis). I came at 7.30 and was number 21, but even so, the policeman in charge denied me entry into the courtroom. Instead other late-comers got to go in," she said.

When asked on Anwar's chances of getting bail, she said although the application has its merits, it did not guarantee that it will be allowed.

"There are so many factors affecting the case. Of course, we would like him to be freed, but there people would be affected if he comes out. It's a double-edged sword.

"But we do hope that the court will give us a pleasant surprise as they did when they recently released the ISA detainees," she said.