Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) vice-president Mohd Azmin Ali is considering legal action against two high-profile individuals for allegedly protecting an author who penned a controversial book about ex-deputy premier and party adviser Anwar Ibrahim.

He told malaysiakini today he was glad that his family's name was cleared when the Ampang Sessions Court convicted the author Khalid Jafri on July 2.

Nevertheless, Azmin said he feels compelled to act against those who attempted to help the author evade punishment.

"I consulted lawyers and close friends soon after he was found guilty to discuss the next course of action. I plan to file a legal suit against two high-profile individuals who now hold very important and prestigious positions in the government," said Azmin.

"These two were directly involved in protecting Khalid and I believe they have an interest from this case. We are looking at the matter seriously," he added.

On July 2, Khalid, who authored the book 50 Dalil Mengapa Anwar Tidak Boleh Jadi PM (50 Reasons Why Anwar Cannot Be PM), was found guilty of maliciously publishing false news about an alleged affair between Anwar and Azmin's wife, Shamsidar Taharin, which resulted in the birth of an illegitimate daughter.

Today, Ampang Sessions Court judge Mohamad Samad Mohamed Ramli handed the author a one year sentence for the offence.

Commenting on the sentence, Azmin said he respected the court's decision.

"Certainly it (the news) was fitnah (slander) in the eyes of Islam and carries a much serious penalty but we respect Malaysian law," he added.

Now that the case is over, Azmin said he and his wife now have the task to ensure that his 10-year-old daughter will not be adversely affected by what has happened.

"My child was only five when she was made to testify in court. She is now 10 and my wife and I will slowly explain to her so that she understands what had really happened. We hope that she will not be too affected," he added.