Former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim has never indicated that he wants a royal pardon, said Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) leaders today.

"No. Anwar did not indicate that he wants a pardon," said PKR Youth chief Mohd Ezam Mohd Nor when contacted for comment.

He said the plan by dozens of activists and opposition leaders to send a memorandum to the King to seek a pardon for the ex-deputy premier, "has nothing to do with Anwar or the party".

"PKR has not decided whether to seek for a pardon. What happened yesterday was initiated by the NGOs, This has nothing to do with us," added Ezam.

At a gathering organised by Institute Pemikiran Stretegik (IPS) yesterday, participants were said to have agreed to send the memorandum on Oct 31 to coincide with Anwar's return from Saudi Arabia.

Among those who attended the gathering were Ezam, PKR deputy president Dr Syed Husin Ali, vice-president Tian Chua, DAP international secretary Ronnie Liu and PAS vice president Dr Hassan Ali.

Anwar's lawyer Kamar Ainiah Kamaruzaman reportedly said that the former deputy premier has indicated the possibility of asking for a pardon.

Working committee

Ezam, who delivered a brief message on behalf of Anwar at the convention, said this afternoon that the message never touched on the issue of pardon.

The PKR leader said based on his understanding of what transpired at the gathering, a working committee will be set up 'to look into the possibility of the pardon' but not sending any memorandums.

"What we agreed is to have a committee to study about it. I don't know their objective saying we agreed to send the memorandum. I don't think they will get support, they have no power to do so," he said.

He added that while PKR welcomes all suggestions and contributions, it does not necessarily have to endorse them.

Meanwhile, PKR vice president Tian Chua said he was in the dark over the issue as he had left the gathering early.

"Anwar has never asked for a pardon, never instructed anybody to seek for a pardon, the issue of pardon does not exist," he added.

Not aware

However, spokesperson for the gathering organisers Johari Abdul insisted that the participants at the gathering had agreed to send a memorandum and set-up a committee to look into the technical matters.

"When we said this in the convention, nobody objected. PKR leaders were there and nobody objected that," he said when contacted.

Asked whether he got consent from Anwar to submit the memorandum, Johari, who is also PKR central committee member, said the former deputy premier was unaware of this.

Describing it as an initiative by the NGOs, he added: "Anwar might not want it (the royal pardon). But we will try".

Anwar on Sept 2 won a surprise release after six years in custody when the country's top court quashed his conviction and nine-year jail sentence for sodomy.

The same court later refused to hear a new appeal against his separate conviction and six-year sentence for corruption. Anwar is thus barred from holding political office until 2008 under regulations governing convicted criminals.

But a royal pardon would allow Anwar to hold posts in political parties or contest an election.