A long list of speaking engagements awaits former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim upon his return from Saudi Arabia at the end of this month.

Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Youth chief Mohd Ezam Mohd Noor said Anwar's first task upon his return is to sort out the array of invitations extended to him since his release on Sept 2.

"His schedule will be very tight especially after the Hari Raya celebrations. Among his first visits will be to Indonesia where politicians, non-government organisations, universities and artistes have expressed deep interest to meet him and hear him speak.

"All these groups said they wanted to know his views on democracy, elements of civil society and the future of Muslims in the region and the world," he said when contacted.

Ezam said Anwar has also been invited to address parliamentarians in Thailand and the Philippines. Similar invitations have been extended from South Africa, Europe and the United States.

Homosexual allegation

Commenting on former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad's latest accusation that his ex-deputy is a homosexual, the PKR leader said it will not affect Anwar in any way.

"I think the accusation will affect Mahathir himself. He is humiliating and degrading himself. He should realise there are enough signals to show that people don't believe the homosexual allegation spin he continues to make over the past six years.

"Despite his detention, there are a lot of people who regard Anwar highly. I thought Mahathir would have known by now that people are not buying his lies. He should know that he has lost the battle to tarnish Anwar's image," he said.

Ezam argued that Anwar being accorded ' royal protocol status ' by the Saudi Arabian Royals proved that his credibility was still intact.

Meanwhile, Anwar's aide Azmin Ali said the former deputy premier had performed his umrah (pilgrimage) and has begun his ziyarah (visits) to religious sites in Mecca .

"We started performing umrah at 9pm yesterday (on Tuesday) and finished all rituals just after midnight.

"He (Anwar) managed to complete all rituals without a hitch. He had to use a wheelchair for one of the rituals after suffering from foot-ache," he said, adding that no specific date has been set for his return to Malaysia.

Anwar is also expected to meet Saudi Arabian leaders and businessmen during his visit to the country.