He was the detainee who would not betray his beliefs, despite the lure of freedom that was held out to him periodically. As a result, Dr Syed Husin Ali was held without trial for six years under the Internal Security Act (ISA).

He was arrested in 1974 after taking part in protests against the plight of poverty-stricken farmers in Baling. He was then associate professor of sociology and anthropology at Universiti Malaya.

Ten years after being freed, Dr Syed Husin left academia for politics when he was named Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) president.

Today, he is in opposition Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) - of which his former student Anwar Ibrahim is adviser - and fighting the ruling coalition Barisan Nasional in which many prominent leaders are also former students.

Syed Husin - who is 70 - is PKR deputy president, having seen through a merger between then Parti Keadilan and PRM..

Although he had recently entertained the notion of retirement from active politics, he has had second thoughts.

As at March 11, he had received 16 nominations for the deputy presidency and is ahead of three other candidates. The closest is vice-president Azmin Ali with 14 nominations.

Syed Husin spoke to malaysiakini on several issues in a special interview last week, including his decision to stay on in the No 2 role and the implications of his change of mind.

Malaysiakini: The upcoming PKR congress will be interesting in a sense that it will be the first since Anwar's return to the political scene. How are the preparations going and will any special issues be raised?

Syed Husin: This should be answered by the secretary-general because it concerns party administration. But since I am here, I will elaborate a little.

I have seen the preparations for the congress improve each year since the first was held in Ipoh (in December 2004). The divisional general meetings are going on now - one-third of them have held the meeting. Anwar's participation this time around will have a positive impact, as already seen in the enthusiasm within the party and divisions. Wherever he goes, people welcome him warmly. This is very encouraging.

Although we hope he will lead the party (as president), we have to face a technical issue because Anwar is restricted from active politics until April next year. He can't contest (in the party polls), but we nonetheless decided he should contest.

We are of the view that his punishment was (unwarranted) - he did not commit a crime but was accused of (doing so), a charge that was politically-motivated. We have never recognised the punishment. Although the law is cruel, we are forced to adhere to it sometimes. If we don't follow the law, the consequence is that the party could be declared illegal. We could apply to the Registrar of Societies (ROS) for an exemption to allow Anwar to hold a party post. If the application is allowed, then it will be okay; otherwise, we have to wait and see until April 2008.

Has the application to the ROS been made?

The application can't be made as yet because Anwar has not been elected. We have to wait until after the party election and see if he is elected.

In that case, is there a Plan B?

Yes. One of the plans is that we may hold a special congress. I think - and hope - that Dr Wan Azizah (Wan Ismail, Anwar's wife and party president) will then be made president again for the next year.

Is that possible, given that Wan Azizah is not contesting any post?

If Anwar is not allowed, my request is that she leads the party again, at least for a year until the five-year ban (on Anwar) is lifted. But we hope this won't be necessary if the ROS is reasonable because people have previously been allowed to hold party posts despite the rules. For instance, there are rules against trade unionists participating in active politics but V David was allowed to be an office-bearer in the DAP and to contest the general election. There is precedent.

Wouldn't that be unusual? Under normal circumstances, the deputy president is made the acting president until the problem is resolved?

I don't think that is unusual. Whatever you may say about it, Wan Azizah has become almost a symbol of unity in the party now - of course we have Anwar too as a symbol. She also projects a better image outside among the people. There is something (special) about a woman leader, it is a plus-plus bonus so to say. To have a leader like her is an advantage especially in facing the general election. But mind you, this has not been officially adopted by the party - it has (only) been discussed and considered. Anyway, I will go along with it. (laughs)

Is there a possibility that the party election can be postponed until Anwar can take up the post?

We are not doing that. We are not even suspending the party election because a general election is impending. The congress will go ahead. If it is so happens that the general election is called (at a time) near the congress, then of course we would have to reconsider. But at it is now, we hope the election won't be (called around the same time).

Although the party wants to make Anwar the next president, there are divisions which have nominated Wan Azizah and others. Does this indicate they are worried the ROS will reject Anwar's application? Why have they done so?

Actually, all top posts - deputy or vice-president - will see a contest, not just the presidency. We encourage contests and the democratic process in the party. We demand democracy at the national level, such a clean and fair elections, so why not we encourage the same (culture) in the party? Wan Azizah has said she is ready to give way to Anwar, but if the divisions want to nominate her, they are free to do so. The same goes for those divisions which want to nominate another person. However, if there is candidate who insists on not contesting later, we can't force them either. All this is in line with the party's principle of encouraging a genuine democratic process.

You are seeking to defend the deputy president's post - is that correct?

Yes, I am.

Are you not ready to be the acting president? Is that part of the consideration?

Not really. My main consideration is that Wan Azizah's public image - as a woman and a leader - is more widely acknowledged within the country than mine.

But you too have been a senior and down-to-earth politician...

I maybe senior, but I don't think I am able to project a wider image than Wan Azizah or Anwar. Certainly they are more well known.

Although you have said this is going to be your last term, people still want you to contest. There must be something special (about this).

I announced that I wanted to retire - in fact I took leave (from the party) for about six months from last June. I announced during the (last) congress that I intended to leave but there has been a lot of pressure within and outside the party for me to stand (for deputy president). They have very good reasons and arguments. It's very difficult for me not to consider them. If I give up before the general election, it could create a wrong impression - this could be misrepresented by our opponents who may put a 'spin' on the reasons for my leaving the party.

At which point did you change your mind ?

Almost before the process of nominations started - it was about a week before the first divisional general meeting was held. A lot of divisions were thinking I was going to (retire), in fact they took it for granted.

Did you have a chat with the party adviser on this?

I chatted with all kinds of people - within the party, my family and the community.

They really want you to come back...

I wouldn't say that my family would want me to continue. (laughs) They feel it is time for me to devote more time to them and related matters. But certainly some groups within the party and even among the top leadership - (as well as) groups outside who know me - felt that I should be there.

What are their arguments?

They need to have a party which shows itself to be a kind of a rainbow coalition - a party consisting of people with different experiences, outlook, ideology and ethnicity, but which can stand united. That has to be projected because you want to project real unity in a country (which) itself (comprises) all colours of the rainbow.

Do you see your change of mind causing a problem for Azmin?

I don't know. I won't comment on that because I respect the democratic right of anyone who wants to stand for election. If my decision to participate creates some problems, it's unfortunate and in a way I regret it, but the democratic process has to go on.

Did you have a discussion with Azmin ( photo ) about this? There is talk that he might pull out of the contest.

It's up to him whether he wants to pull out or not. There is no ill feeling between us. We attend meetings, we have discussions during meetings and we even phone one another, so there is no problem at all.

But he has not really shown any intention to remain a vice-president. All indications point to the fact that he wants to move up the ladder.

You should ask him (about this).

Will that create any problem between you and him?

I wouldn't know, I won't comment on that.

Let's go back to your earlier statement that you would not contest...

Yes, I took leave for six months and I was rather inactive, not going around or issuing statements and all that. So all indications were there (that I wouldn't contest).

Given that the deputy presidency is being hotly contested, were you persuaded to continue in order to maintain the status quo, so that there will not be a struggle over the post?

One thing I am sure of is that - of those nominated - someone will withdraw when the moment comes to ask them to sign the document (to confirm) whether they will stand or not. The problem you have been asking about is almost out of my consideration, it is not the (basis on which) I have decided to contest.

Will you contest the next general election?

One thing I have decided is that I won't stand for election.

Even though there may be good reasons (cited by others)?

This time, even if people come with good reasons, I won't be persuaded.

Your reason?

Family matters and I won't have energy any more, being 70. It's difficult because it's not only the energy to stand for election but to serve the constituency. I don't think I will be able to do that.

What about the party post? Will this be your last term?

Well, certainly I think yes (laughs)... tak tahu lah, ditentukan oleh Allah (I am not sure, I'll leave it to God).

So what is your political future? What is your political career plan?

(Laughs) No political career, at this age, you don't talk about the future any more. But certainly I will be spending more time, hopefully, on writing. There are a lot of things that I would like to write about. I still have an interest in writing (but) it so happens that I was pulled into politics since my student days, since 1958. I became a PRM member in 1958 when (founder Ahmad) Boestaman was the leader.

Are you considering writing an autobiography?

That is one of the (plans), there are two or three others in the pipeline. Like Said (Zahari, former journalist and ISA detainee, who) can sit down and do his writing very systematically.

Ever thought of starting a blog?

You would have to maintain a blog. I am looking at some blogs, for instance (the one by) Rustam (Sani), a good friend of mine. But his health affects the running of his blog. He was very active in the beginning.

Do you have any specific plan for the party if you are retained as deputy president?

I have indicated that I want to concentrate more on training especially for young people. The Youth wing will be starting training (programmes) next month. I am not organising it, the Youth wing is organising it, but of course I will be involved. I am the joint head of the training bureau. It involves leadership training and political training.

Tomorrow : On the next general election, PM's performance