The sentence follows on from Anwar's six-year jail term imposed in April 1999 for abusing his powers and could keep him behind bars until 2014.

With customary remission he could be out in 2009. But he will be banned from standing for elections for five years from the release date.

Anwar's wife Wan Azizah Wan Ismail described the verdict as "such a blow" to her six children, aged between seven and 18.

"The older ones are really saddened and appalled by the extent of the sentence," she told AFP. "My nine-year-old girl keeps on asking her grandfather if nine years is a long time and the younger ones want to know why papa is not home yet."

The United States said it was "very distressed" at Anwar's conviction and "outraged" by his harsh sentence. State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said the US had a list of concerns over the trial, which cast grave doubt on the impartiality of Malaysian justice.

Malaysia's human rights performance, he said, had impeded closer cooperation on many matters.

Australian Prime Minister John Howard, in comments likely to spark another row with his counterpart Mahathir, said the conviction seemed politically motivated.

"It does seem to be part of a series of events that represents some kind of political campaign against Anwar and that is a matter of very great concern," Howard said.

Malaysia's Alternative Front opposition alliance said without remission the sentence "could, for all intents and purposes, destroy Anwar's political career ...

"It lends credibility to the view that there was a political conspiracy to crush Anwar -- a conspiracy allegedly headed by (Mahathir) himself."

Lawyer Sankara Nair said the defence team would visit Anwar at Sungai Buloh prison Thursday. "I am preparing the notice of appeal against his conviction and sentence. Anwar is expected to sign it when we meet him tomorrow and we plan to file it on the same day," he said.

Police Wednesday released eight people, including opposition leader Tian Chua, who were arrested around the court Tuesday.

Tian told AFP he was beaten up and kicked by several policemen.

"I have lodged a complaint on the assault in custody. We were all released this morning but no charges were pressed," he said.

The website (www.mahazalimtwo.tripod.com) urged Anwar's supporters to gather at the national mosque on Friday afternoon. It said supporters would submit a memorandum to the National Human Rights Commission on Saturday and travel in convoy to prison on Sunday to celebrate Anwar's birthday. He turns 53 on Thursday.

The government has said even peaceful protests to mark the verdict are banned. But police for the most part did not try to disperse the crowd when the verdict was announced. Anwar claims he is the victim of a conspiracy masterminded by Mahathir, who allegedly saw him as a political threat. The premier denies any plot.

The Malaysian Bar Council said many members viewed the conviction and sentence "with great dismay." It said the complainant Azizan Abu Bakar had been unable to explain changes in the year in which he was allegedly sodomised.

The prosecution twice altered the charges to change the year from 1994 to 1992 and finally to 1993. "This is just one aspect of many others which raises severe doubts as to the commission of the offence," the council said.

The International Commission of Jurists deplored the "executive manipulation of the judiciary and use of the criminal justice system to launch politically motivated prosecutions and muzzle dissent." Amnesty International called Anwar a prisoner of conscience prosecuted for "the challenge he posed to government leaders."

And local rights group Aliran said the sentence was "mind-boggling."