In a bid to increase pressure for the campaign to free jailed PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim, disabled activist Isaiah Jacob today announced that he would embark on a 51-day "march and fast" initiative from Penang to Kuala Lumpur.

Speaking to reporters during a press conference at the PKR party headquarters in Petaling Jaya, Isaiah who turns 51 this year, said the "Free Anwar, Save Malaysia" march would be launched in Permatang Pauh, Penang, on Sept 29 and will end in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 18.

At pit stops in all states across the peninsula, Isaiah said his team would be joined by disabled activists and supporters of the ongoing campaign to free Anwar and save Malaysia from Umno and BN.

"I will be fasting throughout the 51 days. No food at all, and only drink water. The others will be walking but I'm not forcing them to fast.

"This is the longest time I will be fasting. I am doing that as a symbol of my sacrifice," said the 51-year old who had previously undertaken a one-week "hunger strike" in the run-up to the Bersih 5 rally last year.

In each location, Isaiah revealed that various programmes would be organised including ceramah sessions and distributions of a symbolic flag to be raised at all Pakatan Harapan branch offices.

Asked whether he believes that their calls to free Anwar will be heard by the authorities, Isaiah said he can only remain hopeful, sending a message that even the disabled community are ready to push for a change in the country.

"If the government can't hear the suffering of the disabled (who are marching), let the world see what the government is doing to the people," he stressed.

Their main aim, he said, would be to demand Anwar's immediate release based on their belief of his "innocence" and the need for him to resume leading the federal opposition pact.

Also present during the press conference were Anwar's daughter Nurul Nuha, who is leading the ongoing "March 2 Freedom" campaign, as well as PKR vice-president Tian Chua.

In crediting Isaiah for his efforts, Nurul Nuha made a play on words using the Malay acronym for people with disabilities.

"To me, the OKU community is not kurang upaya (disabled) or kelainan upaya (differently abled) but they are kuat upaya (with strong abilities) to bring about change," she said.

Earlier this year, several PKR-linked NGOs and supporting groups had petitioned the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V to pardon jailed Anwar in time for the 14th general election.

Anwar is expected to complete his five-year jail term at the Sungai Buloh Prison, over a second sodomy charge, sometime in June next year.

He, however, would remain ineligible to run for public office, as the Election Offences Act 1954 bars people who have been convicted within five years prior to the nomination day from participating in the election.