A royal commission which recommended charges against former police Chief Abdul Rahim Noor, who admitted the assault, dismissed Anwar's claims implicating Mahathir in the beating.

The commission recommended that former inspector-general Rahim be charged with attempting to cause ``grievous hurt'' to Anwar, who was sentenced to six years in jail for corruption on Wednesday.

In its report released through the official news agency Bernama, the commission found no substance in Anwar's assertion that Rahim's animosity toward Anwar was influenced by Mahathir.

The commission said ``Anwar candidly admitted to us and on oath that he was not going so far as to assert that his assault was ordered by the prime minister who was at that time was the home minister.''

Anwar was detained onSeptember 20 last year after leading a massive anti-government demonstration in the capital following his sacking by Mahathir less than three weeks earlier.

He was was handcuffed and blindfolded at the time at the time of the assault and later appeared in court with a black eye and a bruised arm. Photographs of the injured politician triggered international condemnation and embarrassed Mahathir.