Ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim has been unanimously endorsed as the advisor of the upcoming Parti Keadilan Rakyat's (PKR) transitional leadership line-up.

The endorsement, although not officially announced at yesterday's meeting where the new leadership line-up was formally set up, was expected as Anwar has been the main force of the reformasi movement which subsequently gave birth to Parti Keadilan Nasional in 1999.

A party source told malaysiakini that Anwar was the unanimous choice of the leaders present as advisor of PKR, which will be formed from the merging of PRM and Keadilan.

The former deputy premier is currently serving a 15-year jail sentence in Sungai Buloh prison for sodomy and corruption. He has denied the charges and claimed it was a political conspiracy against him.

Once Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's heir apparent, Anwar has been a life member and advisor of Keadilan since the 1999 general election.

Keadilan is currently led by his wife, Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail but Anwar is still regarded as the "opinion maker" of the party.

Debate Anwar's opinions

Malaysiakini

understands that a suggestion was forwarded at yesterday's meeting to the effect that whatever views brought up by Anwar in the interest of PKR should be discussed by the party and, whenever possible, be debated openly.

Asked o­n Anwar's role in PKR, supreme council member Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said that as an advisor, Anwar "is above everything".

"With 17 years experience in the government and his wide political background and influence, Anwar can contribute immensely to the progress of the party", he said.

But when it comes to major party decisions, Saifuddin said Keadilan has an agreed structure, such as the political and management bureau and supreme council to raise suggestions and opinions for deliberation.

Hence, ideally Anwar should not be involved in the party's internal factional politics, if ever they emerge, added Saifuddin who is Lunas state assembly representative.

"I feel that any view and opinion can be debated but the final decision should be an unanimous o­ne to be decided by the party leadership," he said.

Democratic principles

"If this practice is followed, the leadership will be free to accept or reject opinions. This is in accordance with democratic principles and free speech which should be practised by PKR," he added.

He cited the political culture of the ruling Barisan Nasional and Umno, which is often perceived to be a "one-man show", where no o­ne dares challenge or oppose head honcho Dr Mahathir Mohamad's decisions.

Saifuddin, also a former Umno Youth top gun, claimed that those in Umno who had dissenting views with Mahathir would eventually see the end of their political careers.

On the new leadership line-up, Saifuddin, who is also Kedah deputy chief said that the choice of leaders was not based o­n loyalty to certain leaders but to commitment to the party's struggles.

He said it is normal for some quarters to be unhappy with the line-up as in politics, nobody can satisfy everybody.

"But what we can do now is to minimise the differences and maximise the satisfaction. Over small differences, there is no point arguing as the general election is just around the corner.

"We hope this merger will contribute to a new political landscape for the nation in the future," he added.