KUALA LUMPUR, 11 Sept. -- Thousands of worshippers at a major mosque in the city refused to let Anwar Ibrahim leave after the Friday congregational prayer, insisting that he first deliver a speech.

Earlier, upon arrival at the Kampung Baru Jamek Mosque with several companions, he was greeted with shouts of "Allah Akbar" and "Power to the Reformasi Movement" from the large crowd gathered outside the mosque building. (Most prayer halls in the city are too small for their Friday congregations. The spill crowds worship outside.)

After the prayer, as he was leaving, he had to calm down the crowd as they pushed and shoved to greet him and shake his hands. He declined the first calls for a speech and proceeded to the gate, but the crowd was so large that it was practically impossible for him to leave. After about five minutes, he decided to move back into the mosque compound. Three minutes later, he started to speak.

His voice hoarse from the strain of nightly speeches since his ouster, including last night's three-hour address before an audience of about 30,000, Anwar spoke of his long association with the Kampung Baru mosque. As a student leader, this was his favourite haunt and it was here that he often met associates and supporters and delivered some of the speeches that have contributed to his fame as an orator.

He said he was touched by the moral support "that has been growing" since he was sacked last September 2. "From 5,000 (people gathering at his residence) to 10,000 and, last night, 30,000, according to my friends' estimates."

"I don't understand why I am so feared that they would sack me from the party and the government. I must defend justice and I must clear my name against calumny because we stand for high moral principles.

"We must establish justice… defend the rights of our ulemas… we must establish justice and defend our honour… we want justice so that the national economy is not manipulated by a few greedy individuals… arrogant egoists with their grand castles," he said to cheers of "Power to Reformasi."

He said this was why the Reformasi movement was launched.

He explained why he was unceremoniously sacked: "My ouster was the outcome of a campaign of lies and a conspiracy involving certain people in the party, the government and the corporate elite.

"Why try to shame me and sack me? Why don't they just charge me if it is true that I am guilty of moral crimes and graft? The truth is they don't have any proof, but they're probably working hard at it."

He told the congregation that the conspirators were looking for more women who could be bribed into testifying that they have had sex with him.

He criticised the media for having passed judgement on him before he had even stood trial in court. "I am being denied justice and truth."

After an interuption to allow a member of the congregation to set up a public address system, he continued: "The people must understand what is meant by the Reformasi movement. Even if I am obstructed, even if they arrest and detain me or punish me as a traitor, I want you, my brothers, to continue working for reforms for the sake of our creed and our nation."

Alluding to a verse from the Quran, he said his enemies could continue plotting, but "God also plots, and God is the best of plotters." He said it was not because he was addicted to the job of Deputy Prime Minister that he was asking for public support, but because he wanted to see reform, "the time for which has arrived."

"I will continue this struggle even though the media and some of my own friends have denigrated me. I could be sentenced to death for alleged treachery. God willing, I will not fear death because, if Anwar Ibrahim goes, I am certain there will emerge a thousand Anwars in Malaysia."

END.