Speculation that jailed former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim may be freed o­n April 14 is causing excitement in opposition circles.

This is technically possible as his lawyers are working to file an application for a stay of execution o­n his nine-year jail sentence for sodomy. They will also file an application for bail pending the outcome of the appeal - now before the Court of Appeal - against the charges.

Lawyer Sankara Nair told malaysiakini today that the two applications would be filed next week at the Kuala Lumpur High Court, and that an early date would be sought for the hearings o­n or before April 14 when Anwar would have served two-thirds of his six-year jail sentence for corruption.

It is standard practice that prisoners are released for 'good behaviour' after having completed two-thirds of their jail sentence.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's decision o­n Jan 6 to withdraw a bankruptcy notice in relation to legal costs of RM35,381 in a defamation suit has also fueled talks of a possible reconciliation between the two protagonists, and that Anwar may receive a royal pardon.

However, Sankara dismissed the speculation as "remote", saying his assessment was based o­n discussions with Anwar and his family.

"Having spoke to my client, there is no possibility (of compromise). We last met o­n Friday and I am confident that the possibility of compromise is remote," he said.

As for a royal pardon, Sankara explained that Anwar would have to apply for o­ne in order to be eligible. To date, no such application has been made.

"In any case, he is not eligible to even submit an application as he would first have to exhaust all legal avenues. His appeal against his sodomy conviction has not even begun. So, these talks are just rumours," he said.

Under the constitution, the Agong has the right to pardon convicted prisoners.

Family not in favour

Anwar's wife and Keadilan president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said that the family does not favour Anwar seeking a royal pardon because this could be interpreted as an admission of guilt. Anwar has consistently denied the charges as a political ploy against him.

"We are not belittling the whole process. But if we seek a royal pardon, it would mean that he is admitting to the offences. We have said time and again is that he is innocent and that his convictions are tainted by political conspiracy. If the convictions are to be overturned, it has to be by the judicial process and nothing else," she said when contacted today.

She also said that she has no knowledge of any reconciliation process between Anwar and Mahathir.

"To my knowledge we were never approached and neither has any meeting been held to discuss the issue. It's just rumours, nothing more," she said.

"Of course, his freedom would mean a lot to supporters and his presence will benefit Keadilan as he is the party's advisor. It would definitely boost our morale."

Although Anwar will not be eligible to stand as a candidate in the coming general election, widely expected to be held this year, he could well be influential in organising political campaigns if he were freed.

Convictions tainted

When contacted, Keadilan supreme council member Khalid Jaafar said he no longer pays attention to rumours of this nature.

"The less Malaysians make opinions based o­n rumours and speculations, the more mature they become. I have heard of so many rumours and I refuse to entertain them," he said.

"The facts are clear. Anwar has been treated unfairly. His convictions are tainted and questioned by the public. The judicial process which found him guilty is doubted not o­nly locally, but also internationally. I seriously don't think that anyone - in particular, his supporters - would appreciate any conciliation without justice," he said.

Khalid also pointed out that the fact that talk of reconciliation has been popping up ever since Anwar was jailed in 1998 clearly shows that the jailed politician is "very much a relevant political figure".

"It proves that the Anwar issue is still alive and talked about - this can no longer be ignored by the ruling party," he said.

Free Anwar Campaign director Raja Petra Raja Kamaruddin agreed, saying that much support has been received for the cause from government officials in different countries, non-governmental organisations and individuals abroad, who have called for Anwar to be released o­n April 14.

"We have information that various Malaysian embassies have been receiving a lot of letters o­n this. But I cannot reveal the embassies involved as it may give away the identities of our sources. Suffice to say that the letters of support have come in and the relevant ambassadors know about it," he said.

This follows the worldwide campaign led by Anwar's supporters and friends to pressure the government to release the jailed politician.

Raja Petra also said that many letters and postcards from people as far as Greenland and Iceland have been sent to Sungai Buloh prison, where Anwar is being held.

"There were so many that the prison officials had to put them in a gunny sack before giving them to Wan Azizah," he said.

Legal precedent

The Free Anwar Campaign will be stepped up after Hari Raya Haji next Wednesday with 100,000 stickers to be distributed around the Klang Valley. Distribution began in other states last week.

Anwar's book 'The Asian Renaissance' will be relaunched together with a new video documentary entitled 'Bebaskan' (Release Them). It revolves around the jailing of Anwar and detention of Keadilan leaders under the Internal Security Act (ISA)

"Our campaign explains reasons why Anwar has to be freed o­n April 14 (mainly based o­n his having served two-thirds of his sentence). Anwar will be appealing against the nine-year jail sentence for sodomy. He need not begin serving the sentence immediately as he is eligible to be released o­n bail," Raja Petra added.

Sankara concurred, explaining that while sodomy is a non-bailable offence, the court has the discretion to grant Anwar's applications for a stay of execution and bail.

"In considering the application, the court is bound by law and legal precedents alone - nothing else. Bail has been allowed to those facing a much more serious offence like murder, which carries the death penalty," he said.

For example, Anwar's co-accused Sukma Darmawan, who was also convicted of sodomy, was allowed bail pending trial and appeal.

Anwar's health, which has deteriorated since he was jailed, would be cited to support the application.

Mahathir sacked Anwar o­n Sept 2, 1998 o­n grounds of immorality and detained him 18 days later under the ISA for leading mass anti-government protests in Kuala Lumpur. He was later charged with abuse of power and sodomy, and sentenced to a total of 15 years in jail.

The Federal Court denied his appeal against the conviction for corruption last July. He has filed a review against that decision. His appeal against the sodomy conviction is yet to be heard by the Court of Appeal.

In January 1999, Anwar filed a suit claiming that Mahathir had defamed him during a press conference to explain the sacking. This was held two days after Anwar was arrested.

But a High Court judge in August 1999 ruled it was Mahathir's right as the country's leader to comment o­n the reasons for the dismissal. Both the Court of Appeal and Federal Court upheld the decision and Anwar was ordered to pay legal costs of RM35,381.

When Anwar ignored the claim for the costs, Mahathir filed a bankruptcy notice against his former deputy, but this was withdrawn last month.