Jailed ex-deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim has vehemently denied that there had been negotiations with former mentor turned nemesis Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad for his early release from prison.

Speaking through his legal counsel Sankara Nair, who visited him in prison yesterday, Anwar dismissed rumours of a possible deal with the authorities.

When asked by malaysiakini if he had ever discussed a settlement for his release from prison, Anwar replied with a firm "absolutely not".

There have been intense rumours that the former deputy prime minister, who is serving a 15-year jail sentence for sodomy and corruption in Selangor's Sungai Buloh prison, was negotiating with Mahathir for his early release in return for quitting active politics or going back to the ruling Umno party.

The speculation further heightened when a local Malay tabloid Buletin Utama ran a front-page report quoting Keadilan vice-president Azmin Ali saying that he was aware of such negotiations.

Azmin later refuted the report, saying that he was merely aware of the rumours about the 'secret' deal but had no knowledge about its content.

'Totally misplaced'

Anwar also rejected as "totally misplaced" the impression of a probable collaboration with the premier given in a recent interview with a foreign journalist.

His response to questions posed by a Swiss journalist has sparked some controversy among his supporters when he was quoted as saying that "time is a great healer and holds no malice", thus giving the impression that he was willing to work with Mahathir.

"The struggle for justice and democracy is permanent. It's not motivated by personal enmity, malice or vindictiveness. The impression about the possibility of collaboration [with Mahathir] is totally misplaced," said Anwar.

Once the heir-apparent to Mahathir, Anwar was sacked from the government and Umno in 1998 after allegations of sexual misconduct were raised against him.

A year later he was found guilty of corruption and sodomy charges by the Kuala Lumpur High Court.

However, Anwar has maintained that he was a victim of a high-level conspiracy to oust him from power, a charge which the government denies.

The decision on his Federal Court appeal against the corruption verdict is still pending while no date has been given for his appeal against his sodomy charges.

Asked how he rated his chances of winning the appeal, Anwar said that, based on law and justice, he deserved an acquittal.

Advice for daughter

Meanwhile, Anwar advised his eldest daughter to complete her university education before mulling the possibility of participating in active politics.

"She has to complete her engineering course. So it's premature to contemplate for now. Anyway she's mature enough to decide for herself," he said of Nurul, who is currently a 21-year student in Universiti Tenaga Nasional and is expected to graduate next year.

It was recently reported that opposition party Keadilan is planning to field Nurul in the Lembah Pantai parliamentary constituency which is now under Women and Family Development Minister Sharizat Abdul Jalil.

Anwar also answered questions related to the reformasi movement and the performance of the opposition Barisan Alternatif coalition which is comprised of PAS, Keadilan and PRM.

He suggested that BA should initiate discussions with DAP on the likelihood of the former re-joining the BA or devising a common strategy.

Former ally DAP left the 1999 coalition in September last year due to tensions with PAS over the Islamic state issue.

Anwar also conceded that the reformasi movement — launched after he was sacked from government — has fizzled out, and said it was due to "massive repression" which had initially rattled some opposition leaders, leading to betrayals.

However, he expressed hope that the struggle is not over. "Do not underestimate the wisdom of the rakyat," he said.

On allegations that Keadilan was a one-issue party and that he was "pulling the strings" of the party's leadership from behind bars, a charge hurled by former deputy Dr Chandra Muzaffar, Anwar said "the mud-slinging is much regretted".

"I will continue to express my views and it is up to the party leadership to consider," he added.

Transcript

Below is the transcript of the questions and Anwar's replies.

Malaysiakini: Your request for surgery overseas last year — said to be extremely urgent was rejected. How has that affected your conditions?

Anwar: I'm on painkiller and my movements are restricted.

Your eldest daughter, Nurul Izzah, is reportedly mulling the possibility of contesting the Lembah Pantai seat in the coming general election. Do you support the move?

She has to complete her engineering course. So it's premature to contemplate [anything] for now. Anyway she's mature enough to decide for herself.

What is your advice to Barisan Alternatif now that the DAP is no longer part of it? Do you think DAP should reconsider its position and re-join the BA?

The BA should focus on the agenda of reforms. Meanwhile, BA should initiate discussions with DAP on the possibility of rejoining BA or devising a common strategy.

How do you rate BA's performance in the coming general election especially after the Sept 11 terrorist attacks on the US?

One should not imagine that the terrorism issue could be sustained as a political ploy indefinitely. BA has been vocal against terrorism but deplored the exploitation of terrorism bogey to instill fear.

The general view is that the reformasi movement has fizzled out and the opposition is now in shambles. What is your view?

The massive repression unleashed was not anticipated. It did temporarily rattle some leaders, leading to betrayals. But the latent force need to be harnessed. Do not underestimate the wisdom of the rakyat.

After Dr Chandra Muzaffar left Keadilan he publicly lambasted the party for not sticking to its principles, that Keadilan is a one-issue party, and that you, despite being in prison, are pulling the strings within the party's leadership.

The mudslinging is much regretted. [As for pulling the strings within the party's leadership], I'll continue to express my views and it's up to the party leadership to consider.

There are rumours that you are negotiating for your early release from prison. Have you ever talked to anyone regarding a possible deal?

Absolutely not.

Your recent responses to questions posed by a Swiss journalist has sparked some controversy. By saying that "time is a great healer and holds no malice", you gave the distinct impression that you're willing to work with Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The struggle for justice and democracy is permanent. It's not motivated by personal enmity, malice or vindictiveness. The impression about the possibility of collaboration is totally misplaced.

The Federal Court will come up with a decision on your appeal against corruption charges soon. How do you rate your chances?

I reiterate my position. Based on law and justice, I deserve an acquittal!