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Anwar’s release throws new twist into Malaysian politics

Anwar’s release throws new twist into Malaysian politics

KUALA LUMPUR – The unexpected release from jail yesterday of charismatic former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim threw a new twist into Malaysian politics, already in the grip of change after the retirement of veteran prime minister Mahathir Mohamad last year.

Anwar immediately pledged to carry on his battle for political reforms after winning a final appeal in the country’s top court against his conviction for sodomy – six years to the day after he was sacked by Mahathir. He was arrested weeks later.Under Malaysian law, Anwar is banned as a convict from political activity for five years, but could run for office in the next elections.Or if the federal court overturns his corruption conviction at a hearing next Monday, he could make an immediate comeback to politics But analysts said Anwar is not expected to pose any real threat to new prime minister, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who has strengthened his grip on power after a resounding election victory in March.”His release has removed a focus of criticism against the government and its policies.I don’t consider a free Anwar as a threat to the current leadership,” said Robert Broadfoot, managing director of the Hong Kong-based Political and Economic Risk Consultancy “I don’t see Anwar being a banner around which an opposition to Abdullah is going to merge.Abdullah has done a really good job of winning back the grassroots Malay support that Mahathir had lost.His release, if anything, will bring back Malay detractors to the government.”Anwar said after his release that,while he could not preclude running for office in the next elections, he first needed to consult party leaders.He brushed aside rumours of political wheeling and dealing to secure his freedom.Although it is unclear how Anwar will play his cards, Broadfoot said the politician would be a formidable force.But it might be tough for him to claw his way back to the highest levels of power or to be reconciled with his former party, the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO).Anwar was expelled from UMNO, the linchpin of the ruling coalition, shortly after his removal from office.His wife Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and supporters later set up the National Justice Party, which was wiped out in the March polls with only Wan Azizah securing a parliamentary seat.Malaysian Strategic Research Centre executive director Abdul Razak Baginda said popular support for Anwar had faded over the years and the support now was “more out of sympathy than for him to make a comeback”.”He has been out of the political arena for six years and the situation has changed.The sympathy is there but whether that’s enough to propel him back, I have my doubts,” he said.Abdullah has left open the possibility of Anwar rejoining UMNO but Wan Azizah angrily dismissed such talk and said her party would continue to fight for political reform.Asked if prison had changed Anwar, she said: “He is a sick man now.Physically he has changed, he is weaker, you can see that.But the spirit, the resilience, the commitment I think is more than before.”His priority now will be to seek treatment in Germany for a back injury, she added.Opposition leader Lim Kit Siang said Anwar’s release marked a “watershed for the long and agonising struggle to restore national confidence” in the judiciary and rule of law.Nampa-AFPHe was arrested weeks later.Under Malaysian law, Anwar is banned as a convict from political activity for five years, but could run for office in the next elections.Or if the federal court overturns his corruption conviction at a hearing next Monday, he could make an immediate comeback to politics But analysts said Anwar is not expected to pose any real threat to new prime minister, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who has strengthened his grip on power after a resounding election victory in March.”His release has removed a focus of criticism against the government and its policies.I don’t consider a free Anwar as a threat to the current leadership,” said Robert Broadfoot, managing director of the Hong Kong-based Political and Economic Risk Consultancy “I don’t see Anwar being a banner around which an opposition to Abdullah is going to merge.Abdullah has done a really good job of winning back the grassroots Malay support that Mahathir had lost.His release, if anything, will bring back Malay detractors to the government.”Anwar said after his release that,while he could not preclude running for office in the next elections, he first needed to consult party leaders.He brushed aside rumours of political wheeling and dealing to secure his freedom.Although it is unclear how Anwar will play his cards, Broadfoot said the politician would be a formidable force.But it might be tough for him to claw his way back to the highest levels of power or to be reconciled with his former party, the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO).Anwar was expelled from UMNO, the linchpin of the ruling coalition, shortly after his removal from office.His wife Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and supporters later set up the National Justice Party, which was wiped out in the March polls with only Wan Azizah securing a parliamentary seat.Malaysian Strategic Research Centre executive director Abdul Razak Baginda said popular support for Anwar had faded over the years and the support now was “more out of sympathy than for him to make a comeback”.”He has been out of the political arena for six years and the situation has changed.The sympathy is there but whether that’s enough to propel him back, I have my doubts,” he said.Abdullah has left open the possibility of Anwar rejoining UMNO but Wan Azizah angrily dismissed such talk and said her party would continue to fight for political reform.Asked if prison had changed Anwar, she said: “He is a sick man now.Physically he has changed, he is weaker, you can see that.But the spirit, the resilience, the commitment I think is more than before.”His priority now will be to seek treatment in Germany for a back injury, she added.Opposition leader Lim Kit Siang said Anwar’s release marked a “watershed for the long and agonising struggle to restore national confidence” in the judiciary and rule of law.Nampa-AFP

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