There is intense speculation as to the fate of PKR and Pakatan Rakyat should Anwar Ibrahim be incarcerated once again.

Acknowledging that the opposition leader is the glue that binds the opposition bloc, PKR lawmaker Johari Abdul said they would soldier on, even if their general lands in prison.

"We will go on regardless of the court's decision. We will move forward. There is no turning back.

"The baton must be passed on to the younger ones," Johari, the MP for Sungai Petani, told a press conference today.

    

He said PKR does not lack in quality leaders and cited Anwar's wife, Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who is also party president, as an example.

 

"We will go on, regardless of the court decision. We will move forward. There is no turning back. The baton must be passed," he said.

Johari said Wan Azizah has performed well and he believes she is strong enough to carry on the task.

    

"She has got all the support from party leaders and party members, and I believe she has got the support from coalition members too.

"With her courage, experience, and charm, I believe we will move forward. We won't fall," he said.

Passing the torch to young leaders

Johari also pointed out that at some point in time, the leadership torch must be handed to the younger generation.

"Sometime or other, you will have to pass the baton. That change must happen. So, whether you like it today, tomorrow or the day after, it will happen.

"So we've got to be mentally prepared now if he (Anwar) is sent to jail, and I am sure the Youth and Wanita wings, and the rest of us, will move on.

"We shall take that baton and move on. What I am saying is that we are ready. We are ready to face it," he added.

Johari said more than a decade ago, when Anwar was first imprisoned, nobody thought that PKR would survive.

"But the struggle goes on. That is because we structured the party in such a way that will see transition from time to time," he added.

The Federal Court will on Feb 10 deliver its verdict on Anwar's final appeal against his Sodomy II conviction and five-year prison sentence.