The decision of the Court of Appeal yesterday on PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim's sodomy case is "perverse" and an injustice to the whole nation, said PKR.

"This decision is perverse and goes against every principle of justice. It is an absolute disgrace.

"It is an injustice committed not just against Anwar Ibrahim but against the entire rakyat of Malaysia," PKR deputy president Azmin Ali said in a statement today.

The Court of Appeal Court ruled yesterday evening that the High Court judge had misdirected himself in acquitting Anwar in the charge of sodomy against his former aide Saiful Bukhary Azlan.

"The courts are once again being made the instruments of executive power to oppress the people. Rest assured that the people will not take this injustice lying down," Azmin said.

In a separate statement, Wanita PKR chief Zuraida Kamaruddin said the "outrageous" conviction was a repeat of the injustices that triggered the reformasi movement in 1999.

"The people will rise. This sentence to imprisonment has caused pain and anger as there is severe injustice...

'Women against injustice'

"As 8 March is the International Women’s Day, I urge all women to unite and display a show of force to signal that we reject injustice. We want justice.

"Today, they come for Anwar Ibrahim. Tomorrow, they will come for us and our children,"  said Zuraidah (left), who is the MP for Ampang.

Meanwhile, Federal Territories PAS Youth chief Khairil Nizam Khirudin said the court ruling may have been politically motivated.

"We will continue to fight against injustice, tyranny and corruption. Prison bars will not extinguish the spirit of our struggle," Khairil said.

Anwar was yesterday sentenced to five years in prison for sodomy but is temporarily free after being granted a stay of execution of the sentence.

His legal team is expected to file an appeal in the Federal Court on Monday.