Anwar could lose Parliament seat today, as PKR has not asked he receive royal pardon

Malaysia's Anwar Ibrahim (centre) walks with his bodyguard (right) as they arrive at the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya to learn the fate of his appeal on Feb 10, 2015.
Malaysia's Anwar Ibrahim (centre) walks with his bodyguard (right) as they arrive at the Palace of Justice in Putrajaya to learn the fate of his appeal on Feb 10, 2015. PHOTO: EPA

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will be automatically disqualified as a Member of Parliament today as Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) has reportedly not asked for a royal pardon for his release.

PKR secretary-general Rafizi Ramli said Monday that the party's former leader, who had represented the Permatang Pauh constituency, had not issued instructions to ask for such a pardon, according to the Star.

Malaysia's Federal Court on Feb 10 upheld Anwar's five-year prison sentence on charges of sodomising his former aide Saiful Bahari Azlan in 2008, after rejecting his appeal. He had 14 days from that ruling to file a petition for pardon.

After his removal from his Parliament seat today, the Dewan Rakyat can inform the Election Commission that Anwar's seat is vacant and call for a by-election, the Star reported speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia saying.

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.