(AFP) Lawyers for jailed politician Anwar Ibrahim today rejected the official reason for the dropping of all remaining charges against the former Malaysian deputy premier, saying he was denied his day in court to refute the allegations.

Rais Yatim, minister in the prime minister's department, was quoted by the New Sunday Times as saying the five charges were withdrawn as Anwar was already serving a 15-year jail term.

"It is known publicly that Anwar had been tried and sentenced to 15 years' jail.

"From the view of the attorney general (Ainum Mohamad Saaid), she may have thought of the severity of the sentence and there was no need to continue with other accusations," Rais said.

But defence lawyers said Anwar is innocent and rejected Rais' explanation, the first from the government.

"Our view would be which we have maintained all along that Anwar is innocent and there is no evidence to support the charges," said Sankara Nair.

Nair described Rais' remark as the official line by the government since prosecutors yesterday did not give any reasons for dropping the four charges of sodomy and one of corruption.

"Anwar feels cheated. It is unfair since the charges have defamed him. Without doubt, Anwar thinks it (the charges) is a political conspiracy to annihilate his political carrier," Nair added.

'Not unusual'

Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the decision to drop the charges was not unusual.

"There is nothing unusual and not something that has not been done before," Bernama news agency quoted him as saying.

"Anwar has previously been prosecuted on several charges and what happened in court, we've all heard. It is not an unusual move. It happens everywhere," he added.

Anwar was previously jailed for six years for abuse of power and nine years for sodomy after lengthy and controversial separate trials. The sentences run consecutively.

State prosecutor Azhar Abdul Hamid told the High Court yesterday the five charges were being dropped but offered no reason for the move.

"I shall make an order of acquittal and discharge against Anwar Ibrahim on all the five charges," said Judge Augustine Paul.

Lim Kit Siang, chairman of the opposition Democratic Action Party who welcomed the decison, said prosecutors owed the public an explanation for their action.

"It had created a great trauma on the national psyche. (Attorney General) Ainum should be bold enough to cut the Gordian knot by trying to secure a pardon and a release for Anwar," he said.

Hearing held in jail

The ex-deputy premier, who is suffering from a slipped disc, appeared in a wheelchair.

Authorities shifted the hearing to the jail northwest of Kuala Lumpur after doctors said a journey to the city centre courthouse would aggravate his condition.

Anwar says he was framed on all charges, including those on which he has been convicted, to avert a challenge to veteran Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.

Mahathir denies interfering in the courts and says he sacked his former heir apparent in September 1998 for immorality.

Anwar was sacked as deputy premier and finance minister on Sept 2, 1998. He was arrested 18 days later after leading mass anti-government protests.

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

In August 2000, Anwar was convicted on one count of sodomy and sentenced to a further nine years.