Malaysia's former police chief Abdul Rahim Noor today was sentenced to a two-month prison term and fined RM2,000 for assaulting sacked deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim while he was in police custody on Sept 20, 1998.

Rahim, however, walked free when Sessions Court judge Akhtar Tahir allowed a stay of execution pending an appeal by Rahim against his sentence and allowed a bail of RM5,000 in one surety.

Appearing calm throughout the proceedings, an immaculately dressed Rahim promptly posted bail and left before reporters could approach him for an interview.

Rahim's counsel K.Kumaraendran filed a notice of appeal to the High Court this morning and said the defence is appealing "on the ground that the sentence does not commensurate with the service he (Rahim) has rendered to the nation and society".

Prosecuting officer Salehuddin Saidin, however, said he would have to refer to the Attorney-General Mohtar Abdullah before deciding whether to appeal against the sentence.

"We have to refer to our superior officer (Mohtar) in deciding whether to appeal or not," Salehuddin said.

In passing the sentence, Akhtar said "the court cannot disregard the grave injuries sustained by Anwar".

Anwar, after his arrest, appeared in court with a black eye and said he was beaten while in police custody. A doctor, testifying at the Royal Commission of Enquiry that was set up to investigate Anwar's allegations, said the blows to the head were "potentially lethal".

Describing the assault as "cruel", Akhtar said he "cannot deny the fact that, if not for the Royal Commission, the cruel act (by Rahim) would not have been known".

"The accused, being the police chief, should have acted reasonably even amidst the political tension in the country," Akhtar said.

In the mitigation plea for a minimal sentence, Kumaraendran yesterday told the court that Rahim was under immense pressure because of the massive demonstrations in downtown Kuala Lumpur staged by Anwar's supporters.

Akhtar said the sentence imposed on the ex-chief would be a "lesson to other police officers and the public".

The prosecution, meanwhile, submitted that the court should impose a jail sentence on Rahim as the offence committed by the former police chief is considered "very serious".

Deputy Public Prosecutor Sallehuddin Saidin pointed out that Anwar, handcuffed and blindfolded, was defenceless when he was assaulted by Rahim.

"If this court fails to impose the sentence, it will further erode public confidence on the country's judicial system," Sallehuddin told the court.

In a country where the police enjoy absolute power, this is the first time a former Inspector-General of Police was charged and convicted in a criminal court.

Anwar is currently serving a six-year jail term for corruption and stands trial for sodomy and sexual misconduct. The former finance minister has repeatedly denied all charges and says they were orchestrated by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's aides to topple him from power.