Former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim's sodomy trial was today postponed to this Friday as lead prosecuting officer Abdul Gani Patail is "unwell", according to deputy court registrar Rozilah Saleh.

Also, Rozilah said Anwar's lawyers needed more time to file arguments to show the court why two prominent politicians should take the witness stand.

The postponement was to allow Anwar's defence team to reply to affidavits filed by Finance Minister Daim Zainuddin and Deputy Education Minister Aziz Shamsuddin to set aside subpoenas served on them.

Both Daim and Aziz last week filed affidavits stating they are in no position to give relevant or material evidence to the ongoing sodomy trial.

Following High Court judge Arifin Jaka's remark that he will make a ruling to call Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad to court only if Anwar's lawyers can show he was personally involved in fabricating sexual charges against his former deputy, the defence conceded that testimony from Aziz or Daim would help them to corroborate the alleged high-level conspiracy and fabrication of sex details to topple Anwar.

The court was today scheduled to hear further submissions from Gani on the relevance of Mahathir's evidence. Defence said that Mahathir would be able to shed considerable light on the alleged fabrication of sodomy and sex charges aimed at tarnishing Anwar's image.

Mahathir himself has repeatedly told reporters he would appear in court but only answer questions related to the sodomy charges and not political conspiracy.

Meanwhile, former deputy home minister and consumer affairs minister Megat Junid Megat Ayub was present in court today in preparation to take the witness stand. Anwar alleges Megat Junid helped orchestrate a conspiracy to topple him from power.

According to Anwar's lawyers, Megat has agreed to testify. The public gallery was packed today in anticipation of Megat Junid being put on the witness stand, but were disappointed when the trial was postponed.

Anwar and adopted brother Sukma Dermawan Sasmitaat Madja stand trial for sodomy and sexual misconduct. Sukma faces an additional charge of abetting and aiding Anwar to force sex on ex-driver Azizan Abu Bakar.