Kota Baru, Malaysia: The accusation of sodomy against Parti Keadilan Rakyat de factor leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim can smear the opposition party's name, Menteri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat said yesterday.

"The accusation can tarnish the image of the opposition party and I feel sad that there is such an allegation to mar the good name of a leader like Anwar.

"I believe there is a conspiracy behind all this and hope the police will conduct a thorough investigation into the case," he said at the Sultan Ismail Petra Airport in Pengkalan Chepa yesterday.

He was responding a report by a 23-year-old man who claimed he was sodomised by the former deputy prime minister last Thursday, at a luxury apartment in Kuala Lumpur.