The jailed general returns to rally his troops

After spending three years in jail, a triumphant PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim wasted no time to assert his grip on the party by summoning all 116 PKR lawmakers for his closed-door dinner address last night.

Like a captured general rejoining his troops at long last, Anwar moved to reassure everyone that despite his absence, he remained the undisputed and indispensable leader of the party, according to several participants.

Officially, Anwar has been out of action since February 2015 when he was jailed on sodomy charges.

But even from behind bars, Anwar had access to the levers of power within the party and could often send his messages to the right ears.

Now a free man, with a pardon backdated to 1998, Anwar wanted his commanders to know that their leader has returned and they are in good hands.

"His message was: 'I'm back and I'm in charge'," one participant told Malaysiakini.

Anwar said unity among PKR and Pakatan Harapan was paramount, while urging lawmakers to throw their support behind Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

He told them that he and former-mentor-turned-nemesis Mahathir now enjoyed a strong and healthy relationship.

He spoke of how the duo had broken fast together on Tuesday and how he had kept the prime minister abreast of his whirlwind tour across the country.

Since his release from prison on May 16, Anwar has been meeting key movers and shakers of the country, as well as foreign diplomats.

Corridors of power

However, it was his meetings with the Malay rulers which captured the most attention and intrigue.

Anwar also assured the lawmakers that he was on excellent terms with the royals and that he helped provide the necessary reassurances for the Agong to consent to Putrajaya's nominee for attorney-general.

"Even without any position, he wants to show us how he still walks the corridors of power," said another participant.

Anwar showered praises on many party leaders although there was special mention for PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli, who could not be fielded this election due to a prior conviction but campaigned vigorously for Pakatan Harapan nonetheless.

Some of those at the meeting told Malaysiakini that Anwar's message will likely be interpreted with PKR's internal elections in mind.

Rafizi is widely believed to be Anwar's closest lieutenant. Endorsement from the de facto leader himself will likely bode well for Rafizi in the coming party elections, which must be held later this year.

Other speakers at the dinner event at the One World Hotel, Petaling Jaya included party president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar and secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

Two of Anwar's key lieutenants - Azmin Ali and Zuraida Kamaruddin - were notable absentees. Both had prior engagements abroad. -Mkini