PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim may be in jail but a debate on his thoughts and views over his decades in activism and politics will be carried out nationwide and SouthEast Asia, starting with a symposium in Penang tomorrow. 

According to Yusmadi Yusoff, the political secretary of opposition leader and Anwar's wife, Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, the symposium, which would include the launch of Anwar's book "The Appearance of the Muslim Democrat", will be held at the Penang Institute in Jalan Brown from 9.30am to 12.30pm on Saturday.

"His (Anwar's) agenda, ideologies, thoughts and views on politics, economy, since he was a student leader and NGO activist in the 70s and as a government leader from 1982, until he was sacked from his deputy prime minister's post in 1998, to his stint in the opposition, must be shared with all as they are relevant and timely," Yusmadi told a press conference yesterday.

The three-hour symposium, jointly organised by Anwar's office, Yayasan Islam Pulau Pinang (YIPP), Penang Institute and publisher Institute Darul Ehsan, is aimed at providing public education and to help develop the minds of policy makers, political, NGO, religious and student leaders, Yusmadi added.

"We are kicking off the symposium in Penang because this is Anwar's home state, and Penangites are proud of him.

"People say symposiums to discuss the thoughts of people are usually done after they have passed on but we feel this is the best time to discuss Anwar's ideas and agenda, his views on politics, economy and civilisations," the former Balik Pulau MP said. 

Accompanying him at the press event were student leader cum Anwar's special officer Fahmi Zainol and former Batu Uban assembly person S Raveentharan.

Wan Azizah, who is also Permatang Pauh MP, will give the opening speech at the symposium while the closing will be done by Anwar's daughter and Pantai Dalam MP Nurul Izzah. The book will be launched by Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.

The panellists are national laureate Muhammad Salleh, University Sains Malaysia don Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid, University Selangor lecturer Shaharudin Badaruddin and Penang Institute senior research fellow Wong Chin Huat.

According to YIPP chairman cum PKR state chief Mansor Othman, the foundation wants to be the vehicle to implement Anwar's thoughts in Penang for the benefit of the Muslim community.

Anwar is currently serving a five-year jail term for sodomy, which he and his supporters maintain is a politically motivated charge.