The defence in the sodomy trial of sacked deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim this morning sought to adduce evidence which implied that Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad was aware of the political conspiracy to topple his deputy.

Lead counsel Christopher Fernando said that Mahathir's response to questions posed by journalists at a press conference on Aug 24, 1997 showed that he knew of the conspiracy plot and was also privy to the police investigation.

"His answers, especially when he spoke of the letters being politically motivated, are enough to show that Mahathir knew of the conspiracy beforehand," Christopher told malaysiakini .

The letters were written by former driver Azizan Abu Bakar at the behest of Ummi Hafilda Ali, sister of Anwar's former private secretary Azmin Ali, which accused the jailed politician of sodomy and sexual misconduct.

Bernama reporter R. Sivabalan testified in the High Court today that Mahathir told reporters at the press conference that it appeared as if somebody had dictated the letters because "the letters were written in a language that is a little bit beyond the capacity of one of the writers."

The Prime Minister was also reported to have said he did not see the need to seek clarification from Anwar as he told reporters that "he knew as much about this thing."

Sivabalan stated that Mahathir did not believe in the accusations made against his then deputy and said he did not believe the allegations could tarnish Anwar's image "unless somebody is very stupid to believe such ridiculous accusations against him (Anwar)."

Mahathir was quoted to have said that the letters were used by some people for political purposes. "For example, if I take pictures with some girls it doesn't mean I am having an affair with them. It's always like that. I was once linked with a Chinese woman in Singapore."

Mahathir, however, apparently changed his stance on the sexual allegations hurled against his protege and sacked him in September 1998. The shock dismissal was followed with Anwar's arrest and prosecution on corruption charges in relation to abuse of power while in office.

Anwar and his adopted brother, Sukma Dermawan Sasmitaat Madja, are charged with sodomising Azizan Abu Bakar "on one night between Jan and March 1993 at 7.45pm. Sukma is also charged with abetting and aiding Anwar to sodomise the former driver.

Fernando called two more journalists from the local dailies to cement his argument that the premier knew more of the conspiracy plot than he cared to admit. The journalists reiterated and confirmed the statements made by Mahathir at the press conference.

Meanwhile, another journalist, A. Kathiresan from the New Straits Times , told judge Arifin Jaka that the former IGP Rahim Noor reiterated Mahathir's stand and said that the contents of the letter were untrue based on the investigations conducted by the police.

Christopher's line of questioning seemed to imply that the premier was insincere when he told the press that he trusted his deputy. "He knew it was planned and he was supposed to come out openly and accuse Anwar at the right time. We are trying to prove this," Christopher told reporters during a break in the court's hearing.

Mahathir had repeatedly accused his former heir apparent of "low morals" and was unfit to lead the predominantly Muslim country. He is widely expected to appear in court this Thursday to testify at his former deputy's sodomy trial.

Anwar is currently serving a six-year jail term following his conviction on the corruption charges. He had repeatedly denied all the past and present charges and says they were trumped up to end his political career.