Anwar renewed his call for an end to corruption and cronyism in a statement released late on Saturday by his wife, Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, after several thousand of his supporters protested in the capital against Mahathir's 17-year of rule in the region.

"We must rid the country of corruption, cronyism and nepotism," Anwar, held in police custody in a local prison, said.

"We must save the country from being exploited by a handful of individuals out to manipulate the economy to amass wealth for themselves," he said. "It is time for change."

Anwar was sacked on September 2 and arrested 18 days later under the Internal Security Act (ISA) after leading 30,000 people through the capital calling on Mahathir to step down.

Last week he was released under the ISA, which allowsindefinite detention without trial, but kept in custody on 10 criminal charges of sodomy and corruption which he has denied. His trial on four of the five corruption charges begins on November 2.

Police fired water cannon and one round of tear gas on Saturday evening to break up an anti-government protests and several thousand demonstrators in the capital. Police detained 134 people, including a freelance television cameraman working for Reuters who was later released.

Mahathir, who has called Anwar morally unfit, said on Saturday in Tokyo that Anwar was receiving special treatment.

"Normally of course, they put several people in one cell.I am told that he has a special room to himself, he has mattress, he is treated very special," the official Bernama news agency quoted Mahathir as telling Japanese news organisations.

But Anwar said his release from detention under ISA was a gimmick. "The plan was to get me out of ISA detention before APEC begins," he said, referring to the Asia-Pacific EconomicCooperation forum summit meeting in Kuala Lumpur next month.

Leaders from 21 nations including US president Bill Clinton are set to attend the summit. Mahathir said on Saturday that it would be a tragedy if APEC, formed as an economic body, was converted into a political forum.Several foreign governments including some of Malaysia's neighbours have criticised the use of the ISA to detain Anwar and his supporters, and denounced Malaysian police for allegedly assaulting the former prime-minister-in-waiting.

Philippine president Joseph Estrada, who has suggested that Anwar be released from detention in prison and placed under house arrest, said on Saturday that his "friend Anwar appears to be a victim of human rights violation".

Responding to Estrada, Mahathir said that "he's (Anwar's) treated very special. I think Estrada can go and see him whether the treatment is right or not."

Malaysian leaders have accused foreign governments of trying to meddle in its internal affairs. Anwar said the "hysteria"against foreign leaders reflected Mahathir's interest.

Anwar appeared in court last month with a black teye and later with a neck brace. Mahathir said on Friday that he had been shocked to learn police custody. The state police are investigating Anwar's accusations.Anwar said he was aware that many Malaysian reluctant to express their views to protect their interests.

"But they must take heed of the wishes of the `rakyat'(people) before it is too late," he said, accusing Mahathir of resorting to "any means to cling to power".

Mahathir, 72, reiterated on Saturday that he had planned to retire after the APEC summit but now he would have to wait until after his party chooses a deputy next year.

"I have to give some time for my successor to do his work before I can step down. I don't know how long," he said.