A court ordered earlier that there should be no comment about Anwar's guilt or innocence while he is on trial for four corruption charges.

The former deputy premier and finance minister who was sacked by Mahathir in September faces a further charge of corruption and five of sodomy. He has pleaded innocent to all accusations.

Anwar said during a court recess on the ninth day of his trial that Mahathir had violated the court gag-order during a live interview with Cable News Network (CNN).

``They said no commenting on the case but the PM said something. There are two sets of laws one for me and for Dr M,'' Anwar said.

``They put me in prison and ask me to shut up. What are they afraid of?''

Mahathir told CNN: ``I felt he (Anwar) was not compatible for the role he is going to play as premier. This moral issue wecannot accept.''

``Once the trial is over and people know what is right and what is wrong, I think they will have disposition. This issue will be resolved,'' Mahathir said.

Anwar also said that it was unfair that poison pen letters were used against him when many such letters were written against his ex-boss.

``I've seen so many poison pen letters against the PM (Prime Minister Mahathir), the IGP (Inspector-General of Police) and the Chief Justice,'' Anwar charged during the brief adjournment.

``Why were they not read out in court,'' asked Anwar. Charges that Anwar had homosexual relations with his driver and an affair with the wife of his private secretary were made in a letter to the prime minister.

The short court adjournment was allowed by Justice Augustine Paul on Thursday after a clash between prosecutors and defence lawyers over a purported second poison pen letter -- ``Final rites for Anwar.''

The prosecution asked senior police officer Mazlan Mohamed Din to read out various sections ofthe letter in court to link sexual misconduct charges against Anwar with the earlier letter.

But lead defence lawyer Christopher Fernando objected, saying Mazlan could just tell the court how many similarities there were in the letters.

``These are mere allegations, not facts. He should stop (by saying there are) how many similarities,'' Fernando said. But prosecuting officer Azahar Mohamad argued that certain contents in the letters were ``intertwined''.