Barisan Alternatif component party leaders have unanimously agreed to re-nominate former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim as the coalition's candidate for prime minister for the coming general election.

In its latest edition, Berita Keadilan reported that the consensus was reached during a political workshop attended by BA leaders in Terengganu on May 10 and 11.

The resolution would be submitted to the BA presidential council for further discussion before it is finalised.

In his opening speech at the workshop, PAS deputy president and Terengganu Menteri Besar Abdul Hadi Awang said the Anwar issue contributed to his party's victory in the state during the 1999 election.

PAS captured Terengganu from Barisan Nasional after winning 28 of the 32 state assembly seats.

Hadi said the issue is still fresh in the minds of the people, especially the Malays and would be highlighted constantly.

Anwar was sacked from the government and Umno in 1998. He is currently serving a 15-year jail term for corruption and sodomy.

He has denied the charges and claims to be a victim of a political conspiracy orchestrated by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Keadilan, helmed by Anwar's wife, Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, was created in 1999. The party later formed the BA with PAS, DAP and PRM.

However, DAP quit the coalition last September after failing to resolve its differences with PAS over the latter's aim to set up an Islamic state.

The two-day workshop was attended by some 50 leaders. Among others, they discussed the people's support for BA and the growing strength of the ruling BN.

Support dwindling

In a related development, Wan Azziah today said the people's support for the opposition coalition was dwindling.

According to a Bernama report, the Keadilan leader said this was evident in the past five by-elections where opposition candidates failed to win.

The defeats in the Sanggang and Ketari (Pahang) by-elections, the Teluk Kemang (Negeri Sembilan) by-election, Likas (Sabah) and Indera Kayangan (Perlis) has possibly reduced the people's confidence in establishing a BA government in the next general election," she said.

On the other hand, she added, BN was in a comfortable position following the country's economic recovery.

She urged opposition parties to cooperate and find the most suitable approach in attracting the support of the people.

Wan Azizah also highlighted the issue of garnering non-Malay votes.

"Although we are a multi-racial party, it is not yet proven that we are able to attract non-Malay votes, despite there being signs of support from the Chinese voters during the Indera Kayangan, Teluk Kemang and Lunas by-elections," she said.

She added that DAP's exit from the BA has had an effect on the voters, especially the Chinese.

Apart from this, the Keadilan leader attributed the fading support to certain restrictive measures taken by the government such as the blanket ban on ceramah (political talks) and the Akujanji agreement for civil servants and students.

Wan Azizah said the media's decreasing coverage of the Anwar issue and the corruption in BN also contributed to the problem.