(AFP) The High Court will hold an initial hearing on Saturday into five outstanding charges against jailed ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim, his lawyer Sankara Nair said today.

Nair said the High Court had set April 28 for "mention" of one corruption charge and four sodomy charges.

"We will know on Saturday whether the government intends to proceed with the charges," Nair said.

He said the hearing could be to fix a trial date, to withdraw the charges or to set a date for another "mention" of them.

Anwar is serving a total of 15 years in jail after being convicted on separate charges of corruption and sodomy.

Anwar wants to attend Saturday's hearing although he is not obliged to, Nair said.

Anwar has been in a Kuala Lumpur hospital since November with a slipped disc.

Nair said he was "taken aback" to receive the faxed notice on today from High Court deputy registrar Asmadi bin Hussein.

Immorality

Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad sacked Anwar on September 2, 1998, on grounds of immorality. He was arrested 18 days later under the Internal Security Act after leading mass anti-government protests.

Anwar was later charged with five counts of corruption - involving misuse of his official powers to cover up allegations of immorality - and five sodomy offences.

In April 1999 he was convicted of four counts of corruption and jailed for six years. The appeal court later rejected his appeal and a further appeal to the federal court is pending.

In August 2000 Anwar was convicted of one count of sodomy and jailed for nine years, with the sentence to start after he has finished his six-year term.

The appeal court has yet to hear that case.