Jailed politician Anwar Ibrahim has chosen to disobey a Kuala Lumpur Hospital order not to attend the Federal Court on Thursday for the decision on his appeal against a nine-year jail sentence for sodomy.

His lawyer Sankara Nair told malaysiakini that Anwar signed an indemnity letter this morning after doctors declared him to be medically unfit to attend court.

"I witnessed him signing the standard indemnity letter when I met him at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital this morning and have since informed the Federal Court about this," he said.

He said Anwar made the decision to prevent further postponements as he wanted to know the outcome of his appeal as soon as possible.

"We have advised him that since this is a criminal matter, he is legally bound to be present when the court delivers its decision. There is no guarantee that the matter will not be postponed if he is not there. Since he cannot afford any more delays, he had chosen to sign the indemnity letter," said Sankara when contacted.

Anwar, who was warded on July 12 when his back condition worsened , is appealing against a nine-year jail term for a sodomy offence involving the former driver of his wife in 1993.

The court had initially set the date for its decision on July 22 but this was postponed at the eleventh hour without any reason.

About a month later, the court set Aug 28 but this was again postponed on the order of the Chief Justice, following a request by Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail.

Anwar has expressed dissatisfaction over the repeated postponements because the decision will have a bearing on his deteriorating medical condition. He requires surgery urgently, but hopes to travel to Germany for this.

'Difficult decision'

Sankara also said Anwar's family members were initially not too happy with his decision to attend court, as they fear this could aggravate his medical problems which are related to a slipped disc.

However, they relented when told that a medical team will be on standby at the court in Putrajaya.

"After being informed of my client's decision, the hospital has agreed to assign a medical team to escort him, in the event of an emergency," he said.

"We hope for the best as he is now unable to walk around his room without excruciating pain."

Meanwhile, Anwar's wife Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said it had been a difficult decision for Anwar to sign the indemnity letter.

"He told me that the matter can't be delayed any more. The decision is important to him, as he will have to decide on the method of treatment . Difficult as it may be, he is a man of principle," she said.

Asked about Anwar's chances in his appeal, Wan Azizah who is also president of Parti Keadilan Rakyat said it was difficult to remain positive after going through the extensive legal proceedings.

"It's difficult today...we have heard rumours that he will be freed but then, that is not new. I'd really like to believe it but I can't. Until I see him at home and free, I will not believe anything," she said.

"Whatever it is we will be praying very hard for justice to be dispensed."