By Jonathan Kent BBC correspondent in Kuala Lumpur

Anwar was sentenced to nine years in jail for sodomy in 2000

The planned gathering was one of a series intended to test the democratic credentials of Malaysia's new leader.

Police moved to enforce a ban imposed on the gathering on security grounds.

They barred the way to a hall where the meeting was due to be held in the port town of Klang and ordered hundreds who had turned up to disperse.

In the event demonstrators only left when speeches had been given and when two of their number, who had been arrested, were released.

One of the organisers, Tian Chua, told the BBC that Prime Minister Abdullah Bedawi lacked courage for not explicitly allowing such protests.

Pledge test

On taking office in November Mr Abdullah promised to be open to accept criticism and to ensure that Malaysian democracy thrived.

His opponents are planning a month-long series of events to test that pledge.

Central to them will be a call for the release of Anwar Ibrahim.

The former Deputy Prime Minister Was jailed five years ago for corruption and sodomy after a trial widely condemned for being flawed.