Kuala Lumpur  - Malaysian police on Tuesday summoned opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim's wife and three other senior party members for questioning over their part in a rally to mark the end of a ban on the former deputy premier holding political office.

Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and three other members of Anwar's opposition National Justice Party (Keadilan) were served summons' early Tuesday at their homes, but had not yet spoken to police, party vice president Syed Husin Ali said in a statement.

Police are believed to be investigating their involvement in a massive rally late Monday where tens of thousands of supporters gathered at a sports field to hear Anwar give his first public speech since last month's elections and to celebrate the return of the charismatic leader to active politics.

Police said they were acting on a complaint lodged against the gathering, which they said was illegal because Anwar's party did not have a permit needed for gatherings of more than four people.

Syed Husin slammed the police for cutting short Monday's gathering, which organizers said was peaceful and did not break any laws.

"We deem this action by the police a form of provocation. They appear to be very quick to act on our leaders the moment a police report is lodged," he said Tuesday.

A police spokesman from the national Bukit Aman headquarters confirmed that the notices had been served to "several top leaders" in the party but declined to comment further.

Anwar had told supporters gathered at the rally that he was ready to lead the country as premier, but said he would wait for a large majority in Parliament.

The former deputy prime minister, who was sacked and jailed in 1998 after falling out with his mentor, former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad, led a three-party opposition coalition that won 82 of Parliament's 222 seats and control of five of Malaysia's 13 states.

Anwar was released from prison in 2004 after charges of sodomy against him were overturned, but an earlier corruption conviction barred him from holding political office until April 15, 2008.

Anwar is now widely expected to begin his rise in power by contesting a by-election to gain entry to Parliament. (dpa)