Although authorities have not given him a permit, usually required for political gatherings of more than three people, they have not intervened.

But on Monday evening a senior police officer approached him about noise during nightly meetings of hundreds of supporters at Anwar's home since he was sacked from party and cabinet posts earlier this month. Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has described Anwar as ''morally unfit'' to lead.

Abdul Rahim was quoted as saying Anwar could apply for a permit to hold public assemblies but the decision to grant it lay with the police.

Bernama said police had asked Anwar's private secretary Mohamed Azmin Ali to make a statement to help investigations into a book, '50 Reasons Why Anwar Cannot Become Prime Minister', but that he had so far refused.