(February 10): Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, whose coalition for the first time took 52% of the popular vote in the last general election, was today convicted for sodomy by Malaysia's highest court.

As the verdict was delivered, Anwar turned and hugged his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

He then turned to his son, who was seen nodding his head at something that Anwar told him. Anwar then kissed his grandchildren.

"Remember what I told you, you must go to school," Anwar told his grandson.

His lips quivering, Anwar also hugged his daughters who were in tears.

Anwar kept assuring his family and other Pakatan Rakyat leaders hugging him that he was all right.

He was overheard telling one of them, "I knew it was bad".

Many of his supporters were crying in court. Patron for people's movement "Negara-ku" Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan comforted Dr Wan Azizah while DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng gave Anwar a bear hug.

The court is adjourned for one hour following an application from Anwar's lead counsel Datuk Seri Gopal Sri Ram.

The mood outside the court room was sombre as many tried to hold back tears.

A tearful Elizabeth Wong, who is Selangor exco member, was heard telling supporters to "go see the boss".

Meanwhile, outside the court complex, supporters of both Anwar and Saiful Bukhari Azlan were told to disperse. Riot police could be seen getting ready to control the crowd and to prevent any untoward incident.

Anwar's supporters asked for permission to see their leader for one last time and started moving to the back of the court complex.

One of Anwar's lawyers, Ramkarpal Singh, told reporters the defence would be seeking a lower sentence.

Anwar, 68, is staring at a five-year jail sentence meted out by the Court of Appeal, which in March last year overturned a High Court's decision acquitting him of sodomising his former aide, Saiful.

The prosecution has filed a cross-appeal for an enhanced sentence which could stretch up to 20 years.

Anwar, the PKR de facto leader, will lose his Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat if he is fined more than RM2,000 or jailed for more than a year and does not receive a free pardon. - The Malaysian Insider