Jailed former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim defended statements made in a written interview yesterday, stressing again his commitment to justice and democracy.

According to his lawyer Sankara Nair, Anwar insisted that he said "nothing wrong" in his interview when told of "reactions" by some quarters and speculation that he may be willing to negotiate for his release.

"Anwar said he did not say anything wrong and please re-read his statement carefully," said Sankara in reference to Anwar's assertions that he would not sacrifice his principles.

In the interview released by Sankara yesterday, the former deputy prime minister had hinted that he was open to a reconciliation with his political nemesis Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, but added that he will stand by his ideals of democracy and justice, and to combat corruption and cronyism.

The questions for the interview were earlier submitted by a foreign journalist to Anwar through Sankara.

Anwar is currently serving a 15-year jail sentence at the Sungai Buloh prison in Selangor for corruption and sodomy. He has maintained that he is a victim of a high-level conspiracy to oust him from power, a charge which the government denies.

Complicated

Sankara, who visited Anwar in Sungai Buloh today, said the comments in the interview were inadvertently complicated by a report that Mahathir may have agreed to negotiations for Anwar's release on the condition that he (Anwar) retires from politics.

The report, which appeared in Buletin Utama , a Malay weekly tabloid, quoted Keadilan vice-president Azmin Ali as allegedly saying that he was aware of the negotiations and that the party was watching the developments.

However, Azmin refuted the report yesterday saying he was only aware of rumours of the negotiations.

Sankara also clarified on behalf of Anwar that several other comments in his interview did not hint at a possibility of him rejoining Umno.

Anwar's answer to a question on his political ambitions had also created controversy when he stated his hope to join "his colleagues" without stating any particular party.

In the same interview, he also said he still had "faith and confidence in the people, Umno members notwithstanding".

Referring to Keadilan

According to Sankara, Anwar was clearly referring to his "Keadilan colleagues" and no one else.

Meanwhile, when asked to comment on remarks made in the interview, Keadilan president and Anwar's wife, Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, said she understood from the interview that Anwar's principles are not to be compromised.

However, party secretary-general Sahri Bahri when contacted today, said he would like to reserve his comments until after he verifies Anwar's.

When asked, Sahri said the party was not aware of Anwar's comments in the interview prior to its release by Sankara.

Sankara, in response, said the comments were Anwar's personal views and therefore, were not shown to Keadilan leaders.