Former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim has formally contacted the office of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to request a meeting as soon as possible.

His aide Azmin Ali said he had spoken to senior private secretary Mohamad Thajudeen Abdul Wahab yesterday to convey Anwar's request.

"He noted the request and promised to inform the prime minister. He said he would call me as soon as he gets any confirmation," he said when contacted.

As to Abdullah's comment reported today in Malay-language daily Berita Harian , stating that Anwar had yet to contact his office to request a meeting , Azmin said the premier may not have been briefed at the time.

"It is possible that Thajudeen was unable to inform the PM of the matter. But I would expect that, as the most senior officer, he will not have any problem meeting the PM."

On his return from Saudi Arabia on Sunday, Anwar had expressed his wish to meet Abdullah to thank him for initiating judicial independence.

Anwar was freed from jail on Sept 2 after the Federal Court overturned his conviction for a sodomy offence and quashed his nine-year jail sentence.

Since then he had sought surgery in Germany for a slipped disc and then performed the umrah (mini haj) in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

Invitations pour in

Anwar's eldest daughter, Nurul Izzah, said her father's schedule is packed with interviews with the media and invitations for iftar (breaking of fast) and prayers.

"On top of that, well-wishers continue to stream into our home. Yes, he is very tired but he hates to say no to his supporters," she said.

Today, Anwar will break fast at his father's home in Bangi before heading to Surau An-Nur, accompanied by PAS deputy spiritual adviser Dr Harun Din, to perform terawikh prayers (special prayers during Ramadhan).

He is expected to perform terawikh prayers at the Saidina Abu Bakr mosque in Bangsar tomorrow.

On Friday, Anwar plans to return to his hometown in Ceruk To'kun for the first time in six years.

He will perform Friday prayers at the Seberang Jaya mosque and has made plans to meet the Chinese community at the Chinese Assembly Hall, before breaking fast and performing prayers at the Kubang Semang mosque.