DAP today affirmed that PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim will remain parliamentary opposition leader even if he is jailed for sodomy.

“(We will not) replace the opposition leader as long as he is a MP,” DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said after launching the George Town Festival 2011 in Kuala Lumpur today.

“You can take it from me. It is the same for everyone in Pakatan Rakyat.”

The Bagan MP recalled that when he was found guilty and jailed under the Sedition Act in 1998, he retained his MP's status for nine months in the cells until his appeal for a pardon was exhausted.

NONE Lim was asked if Pakatan would be affected if Anwar is convicted.

"We are still strong (and will) still pursue our reform agenda," Lim said, adding that the impression that Pakatan is facing a split is a “fallacy” portrayed by the Umno-linked media.

Anwar is alleged to have sodomised his former aide Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan. The Kuala Lumpur High Court has ruled that a prima facie case has been established.

The trial will distract Anwar, whose party is at its lowest ebb since its triumphant performance in the March 2008 general election. 

After a string of defections, PKR now only has 23 seats in the Dewan Rakyat, behind DAP's 29 and equal to those held by PAS. 

NONE However, Lim declined to state whether Pakatan had discuss Plan B should Anwar be found guilty.

"We'll (make an) announcement when the event happens," said a smiling Lim, adding that he has to be cautious in answering questions related to Anwar as it could be distorted by Umno-owned news organisations.

Lim was also coy when asked if the finding of a prima facie case against Anwar would affect the opposition pact negatively.

"We still don't know whether it is positive or negative impact.

"The stronger the oppression, the higher the chance of turning a crisis into an opportunity. It is not necessarily negative," he added.