Several hundred supporters of jailed former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim gathered at his Bukit Damansara home in Kuala Lumpur last night for prayers in conjunction with the end of his prison term for corruption.

Gathering as early as 6.30pm, the hundred-strong grew to more than 700 more supporters arrived after work and from outside Kuala Lumpur.

Anwar completed his six-year sentence for corruption yesterday, taking into account o­ne-third remission of the sentence for good behaviour. He officially begins his nine-year sentence for sodomy today.

The date o­n which his first jail sentence took effect has been dubbed 'Black 14' (photo).

'Cruel rumours'

Although the police had anticipated a reformasi demonstration in the morning, prompting dispatch of several police trucks to Anwar's home, the police presence in the evening was visibly small and concerned o­nly with easing traffic flow in the area.

Anwar's bail application for his sodomy sentence and a Federal Court review of his corruption sentence appeal are pending. However, supporters outside his home appeared resigned to his continued incarceration.

"There are rumours going around that Anwar might be released o­n April 24 but these are cruel rumours," said Free Anwar Campaign director Raja Petra Raja Kamaruddin.

Preparations for yesterday's event began early with supporters putting up Keadilan party flags o­n main roads leading to the house.

To accommodate a large turnout of Muslim supporters, prayer rugs were also laid out in the compound.

Muslims joined in the sembayang hajat and majlis tahlil prayers with Anwar's wife and Keadilan president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail. Other supporters milled about the cul-de-sac outside the house.

Keadilan supreme council member N Gobalakrishnan was with supporters from Ipoh, while Kota Melaka division chief S Jayathas said he was accompanied by about 100 members from Melaka.

Other party leaders included Selangor deputy state chairperson P Krishnasamy and Negri Sembilan deputy state chairperson Kalai Vanar.

Later, other Barisan Alternatif (BA) leaders arrived, including Pas central committee member Dr Mohd Hatta Ramli and Parti Rakyat Malaysia president Dr Syed Husin Ali. Student activists were also present.

Muted crowd

Several vendors took the opportunity to set up stalls in the vicinity, selling food, BA paraphernalia and even merchandise such as watches, wallets and flashlights.

But even screening of videos of recorded speeches by opposition leaders failed to lift the spirits of the crowd, which remained muted in its response.

Four opposition leaders addressed the supporters during the evening, which appeared to rally them around the cause of Anwar's release.

However, the mood was sombre, unlike previous Keadilan gatherings.