Freed politician Anwar Ibrahim met Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi for the first time in six years on Monday as the premier hosted a banquet in Penang to mark the Aidil Fitri.

Anwar, who was freed on Sept 2 after six years in jail, visited a community hall in Penang where Abdullah shook hands with thousands who turned up to celebrate the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, aides said.

The two men, who are from the same neighbourhood in Penang, did not hold private talks but sat on the same table with some state ministers for an informal chat, said Abdullah's press secretary Azhar Osman.

Anwar's aide Azmin Ali said the meeting was cordial and Anwar was happy with the premier's warm reception.

"Anwar has said he wants to bring a new culture into Malaysian politics, where we can respect each other and work together in issues of common interest. This is a good beginning," Azmin told AFP .

There were no details on whether the premier agreed to Anwar's request for a private meeting.

Cohesive opposition

Anwar, who is barred from holding public office until 2008 under laws governing convicted criminals, has said he would stay in the opposition camp but remained open about the possibility of working with Abdullah and the ruling party towards reforms.

Anwar was sacked in September 1998 by former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad and later jailed on charges of corruption and sodomy.

He was set free over two months ago when the country's top court overturned his conviction for sodomy following Mahathir's retirement last year. He says the charges were fabricated to destroy his political career.

Anwar has called for a more cohesive opposition to check what he said was the government's failure to fight corruption despite Abdullah's pledges of reforms. He told AFP in an interview that he had "enough ammunition as a former minister of finance" against corrupt officials if the government was prepared to press charges.