PKR advisor Anwar Ibrahim will be automatically disqualified as a member of parliament (MP) from tomorrow as the party holds on to its decision of not seeking royal pardon for his release.

This new development sent strong signals that the Permatang Pauh by-election is certainly on the way as the parliamentary seat held by Anwar might be declared officially vacant soon.

PKR secretary-general Rafizi Ramli told the media today that PKR would not seek royal pardon for the release of Anwar, noting that there was no instruction from the opposition leader to do so.

Today is the last day for Anwar to submit an application for the royal pardon from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

The Permatang Pauh incumbent had 14 days from the date he was convicted and sentenced for sodomy, to file a petition for pardon, but has not made any move so far.

The Federal Court on Feb 10, threw out Anwar's appeal against charges of sodomising his former aide, Mohd Saiful Bahari Azlan in 2008, and upheld his five-year jail sentence.

Dewan Rakyat speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia had earlier noted that it would only inform the Election Commission (EC) of the vacancy for the Permatang Pauh parliamentary seat once Anwar's disqualification as an MP takes effect.

Under clause 4 of Article 48 of the Federal Constitution, Anwar's disqualification as MP only takes effect after 14 days from the date he was convicted and sentenced.

- Bernama