Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) de facto leader, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will maintain as Selangor’s Economic Advisor, says Selangor Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali.

He also said that there was no need for a new appointment to be made at the time being.

Although Anwar is currently in jail, Azmin said that this will not be an obstacle for him (Anwar) to contribute to the state’s economic development.

“Although he is in jail, can’t I get his advice in writing? His writing and papers works has been tabled by him around the world.

“I can still refer to him for ideas, he is still the Economic Advisor,” said Azmin at the Selangor State Assembly on Tuesday.

Azmin was responding to questions by members of the assembly who had wanted to know Anwar’s status as the state’s economic advisor.

Azmin said Anwr’s experience should not be disputed as it is recognized worldwide.

“Euro Money recognized him as one of the best Finance Minister during his term while in 1996 he was acknowledged as “Finance Minister of the Year’.

On February 10, the Federal Court had retained Anwar’s five year prison sentence after finding him guilty of sodomising his former aide, Mohd Saiful Bukhari Azlan seven years ago.