Anwar declares alibi against sodomy charges

Malaysian Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim says he has an alibi for every minute of the day when he is alleged to have had sex with another man.

He was speaking after being released on bail following his arrest earlier this week.

Mr Anwar was jailed for six years on sodomy and corruption charges in 1998, although the sodomy conviction was later overturned.

He says the new charges are politically motivated and designed to halt his growing popularity, but has called on his supporters to respond calmly.

"For now, my advice to friends, reporters, is to contain yourself, because I have reason to believe the Government wants a pretext, but there's no certainty how much you can contain public anger."