KUALA LUMPUR - MALAYSIAN opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim failed on Wednesday to win a postponement in his sodomy trial after his chief lawyer was forced to withdraw due to illness.

The High Court ordered Anwar's legal team to proceed with the case, starting with an application to force the prosecution to disclose evidence including medical reports relating to the charges.

Sivarasa Rasiah, a lawyer for Anwar who insists the charges are a conspiracy to neutralise him politically, told the court the defence team would proceed 'but under protest'.

The 61-year-old opposition leader is accused of having sexual relations with a 24-year-old male aide. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment.

'As it stands, the vibes are not too good. I need time to consult with my lawyers but the judge wants to proceed,' said Anwar, a former deputy premier who was sacked and jailed a decade ago on separate sodomy and corruption charges.

The earlier sex conviction was overturned in 2004, allowing him to go free after six years.

Anwar's opposition alliance stormed onto the political scene in landmark elections last year, winning control of five states and a third of seats in parliament in an unprecedented result over the Barisan Nasional coalition.

His lawyers will now push for disclosure of evidence including DNA samples, medical reports and CCTV footage which they say is critical to preparing their defence.

Human Rights Watch this week called on Malaysia to drop the 'politically motivated' charges. -- AFP