INTERVIEW | PKR was established after the Reformasi movement gained momentum nationwide to demand the release of the Anwar Ibrahim, who was sacked as deputy prime minister in September 1998.

In the last two decades, Anwar has been seen as the strength of the "blue eye party".

In an interview with Malaysiakini last Friday, PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution said Anwar is seen as an institution in the party.

"We are not only seeing him as Anwar, we see him as an important institution. That's Anwar Ibrahim. His views, teaching, messages, instructions and vision are very dear to us.

"But, I am not saying as though PKR is equal to Anwar, no," said Saifuddin, who is the domestic trade and consumerism minister.

Elaborating further, he said Anwar's significance to the party cannot just be translated in terms of the numbers of seats the party won in the May 9 general election or the quantity of PKR ministers, but rather on how his reform doctrine influenced the processes...