Gerakan Anwar Bebas (GAB), a coalition of concerned citizens and groups, has expressed its disappointment at the second postponement of the Federal Court's decision on jailed ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim's crucial sodomy appeal.

The postponement has caused additional anguish to Anwar and his family, GAB spokesperson Tian Chua said in a statement today.

He said the postponement requested by the Attorney-General on the ground that he would be going to Hong Kong was an unreasonable excuse.

The Federal Court's decision on jailed ex-deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim's sodomy appeal had been postponed for the second time with the new date being set for Sept 2.

Anwar's lawyer Sankara Nair told malaysiakini yesterday that a fax from the Federal Court registry said that the judgment would not be delivered on Aug 28 as scheduled following Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail's request for a short adjournment .

Sankara said the postponement was made by Federal Court deputy registrar Azimah Omar, who was acting on the instructions of Chief Justice Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim.

Presence not needed

Chua, who is also deputy president of Parti Keadilan Rakyat, insisted that if there is not other valid justifications for delaying the case, the court should proceed with the original date on August 28.

"The announcement of final verdict by the Federal Court does not oblige the AG to be present. If the AG was so keen to attend the session, he should have reschedule his trip for this long-delayed case."

He also called on the supporters and defenders of justice to gather on August 28, at 5.50pm, in the Kuala Lumpur General Hospital.

"The peaceful gathering will be a gesture of solidarity with Anwar Ibrahim and to send a strong protest signal to the authorities."