Tomorrow is Valentine's Day - a day of love and romance. But reformasi activists have a different idea for Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

They are using the day to remind the prime minister that jailed politician Anwar Ibrahim remains a symbol of the unwillingness of the ruling government to institute genuine reforms.

Free Anwar Movement

spokesperson Tian Chua said the strong reminder will be issued at a peaceful gathering it is organising at Anwar's hometown in Cherok To'Kun, Permatang Pauh in Penang. About 50,000 people are expected to attend.

"Anwar must be free if the government is sincere about real changes and its respect for human rights in the country," said Tian.

"Despite the accolades showered by the local media on Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi upon the completion of his first 100 days in office, an omission is glaring. Abdullah has yet to address the outstanding issue of Anwar Ibrahim's political incarceration."

He said the recent court's decision to reject Anwar's application for bail and the judges' lack of commitment to consider issues involving his alibi notice proved that the prime minister's pledge for reforms were mere empty promises.

The fact that Anwar was disallowed to be given treatment of his choice for his back pain by the government further compounds the continuous ill-treatment he had been given, said Tian.

He also said that the gathering will mark the end of the first phase of the nationwide campaign which was launched in December last year.

Good response

According to Tian, the campaign had received good response thus proving that the government's move to ignore the Anwar issue has failed to erase the people's concern on the issue.

But the campaigns had also suffered some setbacks due to police intervention. There was a clash between them and Anwar supporters in Pasir Salak, Perak on Jan 26.

Attempts to distribute pamphlets to the public at shopping malls and other public places were also barred by the police.

Meanwhile, the movement has lined up several programmes between 3pm and 12 midnight at the gathering tomorrow.

Key opposition leaders including Keadilan president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, vice president Azmin Ali ( photo ), youth chief Mohd Ezam Mohd Nor and PAS central committee member Dr Hatta Ramli, are expected to address the crowd.

Apart from the ceramah, other programmes include a poem-reading session by reformasi activists Dinsman and Hishamuddin Rais.

Representatives from several non-governmental organisations like Save Our Souls and Semenyih Broga No-Incinerator Action Committee will also be present.

The convoy will start its journey from the Rawang rest area along the North-South highway at 8 am tomorrow.