Anwar Ibrahim, ‘Malaysia’s Mandela’, walks free
Anwar’s release from his second jail term sets up a tantalising reunion with his nemesis-turned-ally Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad
Kuala Lumpur — Reformist Anwar Ibrahim declared a "new dawn for Malaysia" on Wednesday, when he was released from prison. His release paves the way for a return to national politics as presumptive successor to Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad following a stunning election upset. In scenes that captivated Malaysians, the charismatic 70-year-old returned to the national spotlight after the country’s king quashed a widely criticised sodomy conviction that had put Anwar behind bars for three years. To ecstatic cries of "Reformasi!" (Reform) — Anwar’s ralling cry — he vowed to hundreds of journalists, supporters and admiring prison guards to support the new government’s efforts to clean up the country. Anwar said he had forgiven 92-year-old Mahathir, who had him imprisoned two decades ago but has become his unlikely ally. "Now there is a new dawn for Malaysia. I must thank the people of Malaysia," said Anwar, flanked by his wife Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and other members of his political par...
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