A commotion broke out outside the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya today when police barred a group of PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim’s supporters from gathering there.

The incident started about 10.50am when police barred supporters from gathering as one supporter, known only as ‘Uncle Sow’, delivered a poetry recital.

The mood was tense, as supporters were, for security reasons, prevented from entering the court foyer while the appeal against Anwar’s Sodomy II acquittal is being heard.

PKR information bureau member K Gunasekaran ( left ) and several other supporters objected to the police’s orders.

“Our leader (Anwar) is inside, why can’t we be here? We came to support our leader!

“They said it is for security purposes, but we are not dangerous. We are just showing support and the police can search us,” Gunasekaran told Malaysiakini .

The police eventually relented and allowed the group to be present at the court’s foyer, on condition that they do not block the entrance.

Another supporter said the court is closed to the public today, and his attempts to enter the court complex, from the front door as well as the back, were unsuccessful.

Meanwhile, PKR Youth vice-chief Mohd Nazree Mohd Yunus ( right ) said the police have erected a security cordon around the court building since yesterday.

“I have spoken to them. The cordon has been here since yesterday because of yesterday’s hearing (on the use of the word ‘Allah’). So this cordon is not targeted against us,” Nazree said.

Earlier, a man drew the attention of Anwar supporters outside the court through his anti-government song and poetry, including criticising former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

He said he is from Penang and now lives in Kuala Lumpur, and had been at the Palace of Justice since 8am.

However, he declined to give his name.

Other Anwar supporters said the man is ‘Uncle Sow’ ( centre in picture ), and has been a loyal attendee at court every time Anwar is tried.