He is the glue which holds the opposition bloc together and without Anwar Ibrahim there will be no Pakatan Rakyat, said Ambiga Sreenevasan.

The former Bar Council president questioned if the coalition can still remain intact in the absence of its de facto leader.

Stressing on the importance of Anwar's role, she said: "We shouldn't rest until we get him out of there (prison). That is what I feel. (We) must use any type of legal or international process."

"We need to bring it to the world," she added to a resounding applause.

Ambiga was speaking at a forum held at Malaysiakini's office to discuss the future of Malaysian politics without Anwar.

As for Pakatan, she stressed that it was incumbent upon them to unite at this juncture, and this was not a matter of choice.

"I'm sorry, but you have to solve your problems and we (the public) expect you to," she said, looking at the three MPs from Pakatan who were on the panel.

"For me, I want clarity from them. I want Pakatan to tell me what is their policy.

"I really wish for you to resolve your internal issues and put aside differences for the country," she added.

PAS and DAP have been at loggerheads, with observers pointing out that a split could be on the cards

Anwar still a 'danger' for BN

Elaborating on Anwar’s conviction, Ambiga said the government would regret its decision to put him behind bars.

She pointed out that it is because Anwar symbolises Pakatan's struggle and his imprisonment would once again become a rallying point.

"I predict the government will live to regret the incarceration of Anwar. He is far more dangerous on the inside than outside.

"I thought they (the government) had the brain to figure it out," she said.

Other speakers at the forum were Batu MP Tian Chua of PKR, Kluang MP Liew Chin Tong of DAP, Parit Buntar MP Mujahid Yusuf Rawa of PAS and political activist Hishamuddin Rais.

The forum was moderated by Malaysiakini's chief editor Fathi Aris Omar.

Hishamuddin, with his usual blend of comedy and politics, urged the people to take to the streets if they wanted to see Anwar free.

He also had the audience in stitches when he kept asking them to check Twitter if inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar had issued an order to arrest him.

Bigger picture

Liew, on the other hand, said all parties must work together to ensure that Umno meets its end in the next general election.

"We must work together to make sure Umno is defeated by a landslide but that won't come easy as that requires a greater coalition, not just Pakatan.

"More people should join the movement," he added.

For Mujahid, the forum became a sombre occasion when news of PAS spiritual leader Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat's passing was announced.

However, he responded to a question on the internal problems in Pakatan, stating there are bound to be problems in things that are managed by humans.

On that note, he said the issue cannot be resolved by pointing fingers at each other.

"We must see the bigger picture. We must come to terms with the real problems that are plaguing us today," he said.

Tian Chua, speaking about politics after Anwar, said the public should expect a lot more struggles and problems.

He also claimed that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak would not remain in office for long.