Dozens of activists and opposition leaders yesterday agreed to send a memorandum to King Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin urging the monarch to pardon former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim.

"We will urge the king to pardon Anwar. Things have to heal. The nation has to unite and move on," Johari Abdul, spokesman for the newly created grouping called Padu, which aims to unite all Malaysians irrespective of political ideology.

Anwar on Sept 2 won a surprise release after six years in custody when the country's top court quashed his conviction and nine-year jail sentence for sodomy.

The same court later refused to hear a new appeal against his separate conviction and six-year sentence for corruption. Anwar is thus barred from holding political office until 2008 under regulations governing convicted criminals.

But a royal pardon would allow Anwar to hold posts in political parties or contest an election.

Anwar's consent

Johari said the memorandum would be sent to the king on Oct 31 to coincide with the return of Anwar to Malaysia after successful spinal surgery in Germany.

Asked if Anwar was supportive of their plan, Anwar's lawyer Kamar Ainiah Kamaruzaman said: "He has indicated the possibility of asking for a pardon."

Anwar, once in line to become Malaysia's leader, was sacked by Mahathir in 1998 and later sentenced to a total of 15 years in jail. He said the charges were trumped up to prevent him challenging Mahathir for the premiership.

Anwar told AFP last month he was keen to play a role in a multi-party alliance, probably in opposition.