KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's de facto opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim has said he will push ahead with his nationwide roadshow to clear his name and rally support, despite his recent arrest.

Speaking to reporters 24 hours after he was arrested in connection with sodomy allegations, he said he wants an assurance from Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi that the investigation will be conducted professionally.

At a news conference after he was released on bail on Thursday, the 61-year-old revealed that the police interrogated him for five-and-a-half hours, but did not inflict any bodily harm on him, unlike in 1998.

But he did have to spend the night on a cold concrete floor, aggravating a back injury. Anwar said: "I don't deserve this, no Malaysian deserves this, why treat me like a major criminal? I'm so confident that I will overcome this case."

Anwar said he wants Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi to personally assure him of a free and fair investigation.

Although he was subjected to a thorough medical check on Wednesday night, he has refused to submit a blood sample for fear that it could be used as evidence against him.

He said: "Why should I give blood, my blood is already in their possession, what else do they want? They have seen all my private parts. Of course, I refused to be photographed - you think I can trust the system, I mean, in my age, it's not a compliment."

Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar said a fresh DNA sample from Anwar is necessary in order to resolve the case. Police said they will try to obtain a court order to force Anwar to give a sample.

- CNA/ir