Anwar to be freed in June?
(Malaysian Ombudsman) – Speculation was rife that jailed former Parliamentary Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim would be a free man on June 8 this year.
Social media was buzzing with the viral news claiming that Anwar, who was imprisoned in 2015 for second sodomy case, would be released from Sungai Buloh Prison in four months time.
Anwar, whose jail sentence would run until 2020 following his long Sodomy 2 trial, is said would be released earlier by at least 18 months following deduction for public holidays and good behaviour.
A political observer said Anwar release from prison was set to spark a political furore in Pakatan Harapan, which is being led now by his nemesis and former premier Mahathir Mohamad.
Anwar, formerly the country’s deputy prime minister, would surely want to seize back the leadership mettle in the opposition rank that he had lost to bitter political enemy Mahathir during his enforced confinement.
“Although Mahathir and Anwar shook hands in the courtroom, that was only for public show.
“When Mahathir wanted to visit Anwar at the hospital, his overture was rejected outrightly by Anwar.
“It shows Anwar has not forgiven Mahathir for his misdeeds,” said the observer.
For long Anwar was the Pakatan premier-designate but recently the DAP-led Pakatan coalition had named Mahathir instead as its premiership candidate.
The move has not gone down well with Anwar supporters.
Anwar’s freedom, if it happens, would surely be a major political booster for his backers, who would now demand him as Pakatan’s premier candidate provided the next general election (GE14) was held after his release.
The former Permatang Pauh MP was imprisoned for five years since February 10, 2015, when the Federal Court re-affirmed his conviction for sodomising one, Mohammad Saiful Bukhari Azlan.
Anwar was found guilty sodomising his special aide, Saiful in 2008.
He was initially acquitted on January 9, 2012, by High Court Judge Zabidin Mohamad Diah after a long trial that began on February 3, 2010.
However, on March 7, 2014, the Court of Appeal overturned the acquittal of Anwar, upholding a government appeal.
The court also convicted Anwar and sentenced him to five years’ imprisonment.
Anwar lodged an appeal against the Court of Appeal’s decision and, on February 10, 2015, the Federal Court re-affirmed the conviction and five-year sentence.
Anwar’s Saiful-sodomy trial was his second since 1998.
