Anwar out in the cold

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – Malaysian leaders closed ranks yesterday against former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim, a day before a crucial court ruling that could pave the way for him to return to politics after his recent release from prison.

Though Anwar is recovering from back surgery in Germany, the ruling United Malays National Organisation has been unnerved by speculation that he might eventually return to the party, where he was on the fast track to becoming prime minister before his sudden downfall in 1998. The party’s supreme council were to discuss Anwar at a scheduled meeting yesterday and was expected to declare him unwelcome, coming after assertions by prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi that he had struck no deal with his one-time rival to bring him back.Retired prime minister Mahathir Mohamad, who sacked Anwar during a power struggle six years ago, has featured prominently in pro-government media coverage in recent days after keeping a low profile for the past year.- Nampa-APThe party’s supreme council were to discuss Anwar at a scheduled meeting yesterday and was expected to declare him unwelcome, coming after assertions by prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi that he had struck no deal with his one-time rival to bring him back.Retired prime minister Mahathir Mohamad, who sacked Anwar during a power struggle six years ago, has featured prominently in pro-government media coverage in recent days after keeping a low profile for the past year.- Nampa-AP