Former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim said today that he feels no contempt for Umno or its members and would support any positive steps its president Abdullah Ahmad Badawi takes to combat corruption and poverty.

However, he assured that this view does not mean that he will be joining Umno, explaining that he is merely adopting a more "courteous and civil political approach" as opposed to the strong and hostile approach.

"I am ready to cooperate with the current administration in its efforts to combat corruption and eliminate poverty. That is why I said that I am always ready to discuss these issues with the prime minister," he told a press conference at his Damansara Heights home in Kuala Lumpur after his return from Saudi Arabia where he performed his umrah (mini pilgrimage) and ziyarah (visitations).

"But this does not mean that I will join Umno. So the Umno leaders should stop worrying about me and instead focus on 'cleaning up' their party and the government from power abuse. I am ready to support any positive step taken towards that direction."

He denied that this was a way of repaying Abdullah's kindness.

Want to meet PM

"I am merely defending my rights as an innocent person who was unfairly convicted and punished. But I am thankful that he wanted to initiate reforms like in the judiciary. Steps like this I will not hesitate to support. Whether I feel indebted or not should not arise but I am thankful."

He also said that he will be calling the prime minister's office to arrange for a meeting to express his thanks.

"I would like to thank him and to congratulate him. As a Malay, you must understand we have to do that," he said.

He said that the planned meeting with Abdullah should not cause any undue speculations by any quarters.

"I have made no indication that I want to join Umno and neither have I made any application but you see the number of (Umno) leaders who seemed to be angry for no real reason. So I want to make it categorically clear that I wish to meet the prime minister as a responsible citizen committed to the ideas of reform."

Apart from that, he planned to make use of the visit to express some concern including on the present state of the economy.

"I would like to appeal to him that we should not continue to be in the state of denial to clearly state the problems we are facing now, the serious deficits and the shortage of funds for development projects, the failure to honour commitments of the contractors and the need to give renewed confidence not only to foreign investors but also to local investors."

Short of expectations

On attempts to seek pardon from the King, Anwar said he was unaware of the matter until being told recently.

"I have just been informed of the initiatives to seek a royal pardon made on the basis that I am innocent of the vicious allegations against me and any request for pardon should not be construed as an admission of guilt or indication."

He said although he did not request them to take the initiative to seek for pardon, he respected their efforts.

"I also read earlier that the prime minister had made it clear that he is not in any way involve in the matter and will not try to influence the decision of the pardon. So, we will just have to see whether he maintains his commitment."

Asked to comment on Abdullah's performance over the past 12 months, Anwar said that although the premier started off well, he "fell short of the expectations" later.

"His initial announcements were really popular. It was received not only by the public but also the opposition leaders. But I think he has fell short of expectation after the general election. "

As to his future political plans, Anwar pledges his commitment with Parti Keadilan Rakyat - led by his wife Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail- and to work closely with opposition parties PAS and DAP to pursue the reform agenda.

He also planned to pursue an international role in taking steps to bridge the gaps between Islam and the Western powers, adding that the plans received full support by West Asian leaders he met during his one-month stay in Saudi Arabia.