Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) is calling for a gathering of party leaders and members outside the Federal Court on Thursday , to show support for jailed ex-deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim as he hears the outcome of his appeal against a sodomy conviction.

PKR vice-president Tian Chua told malaysiakini today said supporters should meet outside the court in Putrajaya. Opposition leaders will also be invited to attend.

This will be Anwar's final appeal against his nine-year jail sentence for a sodomy offence in 1993 involving the former driver of his wife and PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

"We don't know how many people will turn up to support Anwar. The decision to call for support was made during yesterday's political bureau meeting," he said.

Tian Chua said, the meeting chaired by Wan Azizah, discussed responses linked to the outcome of the hearing.

"Whether the appeal is upheld or rejected, we must be able to find a response immediately," Tian Chua said.

Anwar's adopted brother Sukma, who was jailed six years and ordered to be whipped four times for abetting Anwar, is also appealing the conviction. The Court of Appeal had upheld the conviction and jail sentences of the two men.

If the Federal Court appeal fails, Anwar will remain in jail until 2014, but could be released by 2009, based on the standard two-third remission for good behaviour.

Sukma will also face the whipping penalty, but Anwar has been spared this because of his age.