While opposition leaders have condemned the Court of Appeal's sentencing of PKR Anwar Ibrahim to five years in prison for sodomy, Perkasa says the punishment is too lenient.

Perkasa chief Ibrahim Ali said Anwar was "lucky" that he managed to get off with only five years in prison.

"The judges were too humane as Anwar is only sentenced to five years in prison while the maximum sentence is 20 years and whipping.

"My expectation was if Anwar was found guilty, his punishment should be near maximum, considering his previous criminal record and arrogance," Ibrahim said in a statement today.

Anwar was sacked as deputy prime minister in 1998 and found guilty of corruption and sodomy the following year, charges that he slammed as politically motivated.

The sodomy verdict was overturned in 2004 after Dr Mahathir Mohamad stepped down as prime minister, though the corruption conviction remained.

However, Anwar was released from prison as he had served his term for corruption conviction.

'Anwar cause of split among Malays'

Ibrahim, who was detained with Anwar under the Internal Security Act during their student activist days in 1974, accused the opposition leader of being the cause of instability and split among Malays in the country.

"He (Anwar) is a tragedy to Malaysians, he has caused trouble instead of bringing comfort to the people." he said.

Ibrahim said the opposition coalition should stop relying on Anwar for its strength and move on.

"Starting from this moment, let us forget about Anwar," he said.