PKR will go on a 60-stop nationwide roadshow to seek justice for Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim who is serving a five-year jail sentence for sodomy.

This is despite the condemnation by Gerakan secretary-general Liang Teck Meng, who questioned the rationale behind the PKR-led mass rally at this "inappropriate" timing.

Announcing the plans today, PKR information chief Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh said the roadshow will be from March 1 to March 6, followed by the Kita Lawan mass rally in Kuala Lumpur on March 7.    

"Apart from Anwar’s Sodomy II case, the roadshows will also focus on the current issues including the Umno/BN government’s weak governance and its abuse of power.

"The people can see themselves the unfairness in Anwar's case, selective prosecution under the Sedition Act, racism, 1Malaysia Development Bhd scandal, corruption and leakages,” he said in a statement.

Gerakan: Rallies a distraction from hudud

Gerakan’s Liang meanwhile feels that PKR and DAP should instead focus their attention to PAS’ intentions to table a bill in the Kelantan state assembly to implement the hudud.

"It is highly inappropriate to hold the pro-Anwar mass rally against the backdrop of a looming legislative showdown of the hudud bill insisted by PAS in the Kelantan state legislative assembly on March 18 followed by a swift tabling of the Private Member’s Bill in Parliament.

"It is obvious that this issue is more vital compared to the Free Anwar Rally for it has a direct effect on the livelihood on Malaysians and the image of our country," he said in a statement.

Liang also questioned whether the Pakatan leadership has given in to PAS’ pursuit on the hudud implementation and is trying to divert attention through the rally.

“Or is it a covert attempt on diverting the people’s attention by staging the rally away from the hudud?” he asked.