Anwar Ibrahim’s royal pardon paves the way for a return to politics for the former opposition leader who was jailed three years ago for alleged sodomy. Video: Al Jazeera
Pacific Media Centre Newsdesk
Malaysia’s former Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has been released from prison after receiving a full pardon from the king yesterday, reports Al Jazeera.
Speaking at a news conference after being freed following the royal pardon, he thanked the Malaysian people for standing by “the principles of democracy and freedom”.
“Now there is a new dawn for Malaysia. I must thank the people of Malaysia. Malays, Chinese, Indians, Kadazans, Iban; the entire spectrum of our Malaysians, regardless of race and religion …
“They demand change and it is our duty now to ensure that this mandate given to Pakatan Harapan [political alliance] will honour this commitment,” the politician added.
READ MORE: Anwar Ibrahim’s dramatic rise and fall – and rise again
Anwar, who was initially scheduled to be released on Tuesday, walked out of the Cheras Rehabilitation Hospital, where he was temporarily confined after surgery, and later arrived at the residence of the king, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V.
An image published by the Malaysian news agency Bernama showed Anwar, 70, greeting newly elected Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, his ally-turned-foe-turned-ally.
Another image showed the king welcoming Anwar and his wife, Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, the deputy prime minister-designate.
Earlier, Mahathir arrived at the royal palace for the royal pardons board meeting to discuss Anwar’s release.
Future role
The question for Malaysia now is how Anwar will get along with Mahathir and what role he will play in the new government.
Anwar’s party, PKR, holds 48 seats of the 113 seats won by the Pakatan Harapan alliance on Wednesday, and he is widely tipped to succeed Mahathir once he steps down from office.
In 2015, Anwar was jailed for five years after being accused of sodomy, a charge he described as a politically motivated attempt by then Prime Minister Najib Razak to end his career.
Sodomy is illegal in Muslim-majority Malaysia, where the offence carries a jail term of up to 20 years.
Under Malaysian law, unless he is pardoned by the king, Anwar would be disqualified for five years from running for office after his release.
Anwar was also imprisoned for six years after being overthrown as Mahathir’s deputy prime minister in 1998 on earlier charges of sodomising his former family driver and abusing his power.
He was freed in 2004 after Malaysia’s top court quashed that sodomy conviction.
Falling out
Anwar previously had a falling out with Mahathir after he criticised some of his policies.
But his party eventually formed an alliance with Mahathir to take on Najib’s United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) for the election on Wednesday.
In recent weeks, Mahathir acknowledged the suffering of Anwar and his family.
“I know how Anwar feels. It was during my administration that he was sent to [prison]. It is not easy for him to accept me and shake my hand,” The Malaysia Insight quoted Mahathir as saying.
“And it’s not just Anwar but his family as well who felt pressure when he was jailed. They suffered for 20 years.”
