Former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim does not determine the policies of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) as he only plays an advisory role, said deputy president Dr Syed Husin Ali today.

"He is our advisor. He can give advice to us but he cannot determine the party's policy," he added when asked to comment on Anwar's controversial support for Paul Wolfowitz as the new World Bank president.

Syed Husin described Anwar's backing of Wolfowits as his personal view.

He explained that only comments from Anwar's wife, Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who is also PKR president, can reflect the party's stand on a particular issue.

Asked on PKR's position on Wolfowitz's appointment, he said the party had not discussed it.

"I didn't know why Anwar expressed support for Wolfowitz ... maybe because of his long-time friendship with him. But the party has not made any stand yet. We will discuss it later if the issue arises," he added when contacted.

Wolfowitz is widely considered to be one of the most prominent and "hawkish" members in the George W Bush administration.

Known as a key architect of the US invasion of Iraq, Wolfowitz is a forceful advocate of military action and has vowed to "end" states sponsoring or harbouring militants.

Crucial statements omitted

Meanwhile, Syed Husin said Anwar told the party that the media did not report his condemnation of the US war on or his demand for the withdrawal of its troops but chose to only highlight his support for Wolfowitz, who is US deputy defence secretary.

"Anwar's crucial statements against the war in Iraq was omitted from media reports," he added.

In a recent Bloomberg news report, Anwar was quoted as saying: "He (Wolfowitz) passionately believes in freedom and understands the issues of poverty, environment degradation, living conditions and health issues which (are) very much a World Bank agenda."

Amid strong objections, Wolfowitz, 61, was unanimously elected by the World Bank board of executive directors as the new president last week.

When Anwar was sacked by former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad and subsequently jailed for corruption and sodomy, Wolfowitz was one his most out-spoken advocates.

Following his release last September after his sodomy conviction was overturned by the Federal Court, Wolfowitz had flown to Germany to meet Anwar who underwent a spinal surgery there.

In February, both of them met again at the Pentagon in the United States.