(AFP) - Malaysia's highest court today ordered jailed politician Anwar Ibrahim to pay Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad another RM18,486 in court costs over his failed attempt to sue the premier for libel.

The amount comes on top of RM85,284 which the high court ordered Anwar to pay to the premier in April after it dismissed his suit.

Mahathir had asked for another RM112,000 in costs after his former deputy took the case to the Appeal Court and later to the highest Federal Court, both which upheld the high court's decision.

Bernama news agency said Anwar was ordered to pay the additional amount by Federal Court deputy registrar S Kalyana Kumar. Anwar's lawyers confirmed the report.

Failed RM100 million suit

Anwar was sacked by Mahathir as deputy premier on Sept 2, 1998 on the grounds of immorality and detained 18 days later after leading mass anti-government protests.

Two days after Anwar's arrest, Mahathir called a press conference to give his reasons for the sacking.

In January 1999 Anwar lodged a RM100 million defamation suit over the remarks. He said Mahathir defamed him while he was in detention and unable to defend himself.

But a high court judge in August 1999 ruled it was Mahathir's right as prime minister to comment on the reasons for the dismissal.

Anwar is serving a total of 15 years in jail after being convicted for abuse of powers and sodomy. He says he was framed to avert a political challenge to Mahathir, an allegation denied by the government.