KUALA LUMPUR – Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim will have to wait a while to know the verdict of his last legal challenge against his dismissal as deputy prime minister.

The Federal Court said on Thursday it will deliver its verdict at a date 'to be fixed later.'.

The court had heard submissions from Anwar's lawyer Karpal Singh and senior federal council Kamaludin Md Said.

Anwar, who was in the gallery was heard to say: "Date to be fixed, good. You expected a decision today?"

Karpal had told the court to 'restore judicial honesty' by over-turning the earlier decisions of the High Court and Court of Appeal against Anwar.

Lower courts erred

"What the learned judges in the lower courts held earlier run against the grain, substance, spirit and clear wording of the constitution," Karpal said.

"The court has to decide whether of Article 43(5) of the Federal Constitution - which provides that any appointment of a minister may be revoked by the King on the advice of the prime minister - was complied with when Anwar was sacked by then prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad."

Anwar had, on Sept 2, 1998, received a letter signed by Mahathir revoking his appointment as deputy prime minister and finance minister.

The letter, Karpal said, stated that Mahathir was forced to sack Anwar before informing the King but pointed out that this contravened the constitution because there was no prior assent by the Ruler.

"We don't have to go far but focus on the four corners of the (then) prime minister's letter.

"Convening information is not advice and this was a clear-cut abuse of power," he added.

Karpal claimed the High Court and the Court of Appeal had failed to see this point and the misdirection can be corrected by the current.

In his summation, Karpal said the case was a contravention of the Federal Constitution.

"How can it be said that this is a plain and obviously hopeless and unsustainable case? Does your Lordships believe in that? How can it be said to be frivolous, vexatious and an abuse of the process of the court?"

Kamaludin argued that the King's confidential secretary, Ja'afar Wahab, had confirmed the Ruler had told him of the prime minister's decision and advice to dismiss Anwar, which was accepted.

He said the High Court and Court of Appeal had ruled correctly.

Anwar was unsuccessful in the suit both at the High Court and the Court of Appeal levels which ruled the dismissal  lawful.

Not seeking to be DPM

Earlier, three judges sat to decide not only on questions of law but also his application for damages if he wins the suit.