The sodomy trial of sacked deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim has been postponed to March 6 following an application made by lead defence counsel Christopher Fernando.

Fernando told High Court judge Arifin Jaka this morning that he needed extra time to prepare the affidavits on why Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's testimony is relevant to the defence. The defence was ordered by Arifin last Friday to submit explanations on the need for Mahathir's testimony.

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

Fernando added the defence also needed time to prepare their appeal in Anwar's corruption conviction, which will be heard in the Court of Appeal on Feb 28. Following his shock dismissal from power, Anwar was charged and found guilty of corruption relating to abuse of power while in office for which he currently serves a six-year jail term..

Arifin, after a two-hour meeting in chambers, ordered the postponement which was not objected to by the prosecution. He, however, said the defence will have to notify the court if the appeal takes a longer time than expected.

Anwar currently stands trial for sodomy and sexual misconduct. He has repeatedly denied all charged framed against him and says they were fabricated to end his political career.