Azizan Abu Bakar told the court that everything he said in a sworn statement made on August 5, 1997 -- when Anwar was still deputy prime minister and finance minister -- was true. Azizan, 38, was asked to read from that statement.

``In the name of Allah ... I have become a victim of homosexual acts by Anwar Ibrahim, who now holds the position of deputy prime minister,'' Azizan read to a stunned courtroom.

``This heinous act was committed several times in 1992 against my will. It regularly took place in luxury hotels ... without the knowledge of the public and his wife.''

Azizan was the driver for Anwar's wife, Azizah Ismail, from 1989 to 1992. He is now a sales executive in a trading company.

``I had on several occasions tried to resist,'' Azizan continued. ``His chronic behaviorcaused me great mental stress. The feeling of guilt finally overcame me whenever I had to gaze on Azizah, who had such high moral character. Finally I made the decision to stop from becoming a homosexual slave to this man, Anwar Ibrahim, whom I regard as an animal.''

Sodomy is a crime in this predominantly Muslim country.

Anwar showed no visible signs of reaction during the graphic testimony. During the lunch break he hugged his daughter while Azizah looked on solemnly.

Earlier witnesses for the prosecution, high-level police and intelligence officers testified that Anwar abused his power by forcing police to get a retraction from Azizan.

Although Anwar secured a retraction, which was then forwarded to Mahathir, Azizan testified today that he stood by his original statement.

``I made this statement voluntarily without any form of prompting, urging or pressure from any party,'' Azizan said. ``Everything is true, for the sake of the community, the nation. Amen.''

Earlier in the day, the courtproceedings came to a temporary halt when high court judge Augustine Paul turned his attention to a second defence lawyer who accused prosecutors of fabricating evidence against Anwar.

Manjeet Singh Dhillon, charged with contempt of court, represents Anwar's former tennis partner, Nallakaruppan Solaimalai. Nalla, as he is called, is charged with possession of ammunition, which carries a mandatory death sentence.

Nalla was detained under the Internal Security Act just before Anwar's September 20 arrest. On Monday, a warrant was issued by the court for Manjeet Singh after he wrote a letter accusing prosecutors of trying to force Nalla into a plea bargain by giving false evidence against Anwar about alleged sexual trysts.

Manjeet Singh quickly apologised today. Paul accepted the apology and resumed the trial, which is now in its fourth week.